Kashmir is a 'political issue' and needs a 'political solution,' quips Omar Abdullah

National Conference working president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said Kashmir is a ‘political issue’ and needs a ‘political solution’ for heralding lasting peace in the state. Further he said that the present BJP-PDP alliance is also causing turmoil in Kashmir.  

"For arriving at a solution, New Delhi must open channels of dialogue with all stakeholders," he said while addressing a public rally in Doda.        

Referring to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's claim that demonetisation had a positive impact on the Kashmir situation, Abdullah said, "Instead of continuing to invest in delusions and deflections, there is a need to understand real issues so that a solution can be worked out."

About the ‘alarming’ situation in Kashmir for the past over four months he said, "The issues involved are beyond economics or law and order. Therefore New Delhi must take political initiatives for resolving these."

Abdullah alleged the ‘contradictions and opportunism’ of the ruling PDP-BJP alliance are at the root of the turmoil in the Valley.  He claimed that NC has made a "sincere and honest bid" to end people's miseries and defuse the situation by meeting the President, the Prime Minister and the opposition leaders in the national capital.

"We did not politicise the situation like the PDP did by creating obstacles in smooth functioning of the government from 1999 to 2002 and between 2008 and 2014," he claimed.

Abdullah alleged that while in the opposition, Mehbooba Mufti "would not miss an opportunity" to exploit the pain and grief of the people. "Now, the Chief Minister is blaming one and all the youth, the institutions, socio-religious organisation except for herself for the  mess the state is in," he alleged.

Abdullah claimed an unprecedented situation is prevailing across the state with development coming to a grinding halt and utility services lying almost defunct.