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After three weeks of tense negotiations, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, president of the Jammu & Kashmir People's Democratic Party, breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday when the Congress, the second largest party in the state assembly, decided to withdraw Ghulam Nabi Azad's candidature and support the former Union home minister for the coveted post of chief minister.
In an exclusive interview with Chief Correspondent Onkar Singh at his trans-Yamuna residence hours after his name was formally announced by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, a relaxed Sayeed vowed to work for the people of Jammu & Kashmir and hoped that he would be able to bring peace back to his state. Excerpts:
How does it feel to be cleared for the post of chief minister after weeks of intense negotiations?
It feels good. But with the post of chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir I will have to shoulder responsibilities as well. It is a great challenge. It is not an easy job. It is a situation that we have to face.
What situation are you talking about?
The people of Jammu & Kashmir have given their verdict against the National Conference led by Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdullah. Since the people have not given a clear mandate to any single party, all of us --- the Congress, the PDP, the independents, the CPI-M, and the Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party --- have to unite and give a good and clean government to the people of Jammu & Kashmir. We have to provide relief to the people of the state who have been suffering endless miseries for the last 13 years.
Have you been able to evolve a common minimum programme with the Congress to lead the coalition government?
We have arrived at a common minimum programme and it is a comprehensive document wherein we have declared our policies, our commitments, and our pledge to redeem those commitments. And what we can achieve on the economic front. These issues will be shared with the media on Sunday when I address a joint press conference with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi at the Congress headquarters.
When the tussle over chief ministership began between the Congress and the PDP, your party's stand was that the chief minister should be from the valley.
I don't think that was the issue at any point of time. Let me tell you that the chief minister's post was never a major hurdle. There were other important issues that needed greater attention.
How do you look at the sacrifice made by the Congress?
The Congress is a great organisation. They had their own stakes. Their number was greater. But we felt that we should rise above party lines and think of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Keeping in mind the national interests, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has taken a correct decision to achieve broader objectives. It is not important who is the chief minister. What is important is that the people of Jammu & Kashmir have been facing turmoil for the last 13 years or so, and how to get them out of this. She has taken a statesmanlike stand in the interests of the nation.
How do you propose to overcome this challenge?
I have been through this kind of situation before. I joined politics in 1959. So with whatever experience that I have, I will try to unite all the forces and take them along and work to remove the hardships of the people of the state. It is a great opening. It is going to be the turning point in the history of Jammu & Kashmir.
Do you think peace would be restored in the state during your rule?
My humble effort would be to work for the people of my state. It would be my effort to restore peace with dignity. We would try for that.
What kind of co-operation do you expect from the Centre?
The co-operation of the Centre is very much needed. It is very much essential. Without the co-operation of the Centre we cannot move forward. The Union government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee understands that Kashmir is an issue that we have been facing for so many years. They will support us on the economic and other fronts and extend to the new administration the fullest co-operation in facing the uphill tasks before us.
How do you propose to carry the people of the Jammu and Ladakh regions, who have been complaining of stepmotherly treatment, with you?
Our effort will be to carry them together with the people of the valley. The new dispensation will ensure that all the regions of the state --- Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh --- get justice. That will be our major effort.
When are you taking the oath of office?
Sometime next week. We will let the media know about it as soon as we take a decision in this regard.
Image: Rahil Shaikh
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