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DORU, ANANTNAG: "Kashmir assembly is the only institution where Article 370 can be discussed and nowhere outside has right to discuss it anywhere,” Peoples Democratic Party leader Mutfi Mohammad Sayeed said here while addressing a huge crowd of at least 10,000 party workers at the Dak Bungalow in Doru Shahabad.
"This land is ours and no one will be given right to take it from us" Mufti said in what was a direct attack on the BJP that has been speaking in favour of the abrogation of Article 370 in its campaign in the Jammu region.
He said that this was a “historic election” where the competition was direct between the BJP and the PDP maintaining that there was no space now left in Jammu and Kashmir for the National Congress and the Congress party.
Even while pitching himself against the BJP, Mufti who is in line to become the Chief Minister if his party gets the requisite majority, was placatory when he said, “"We are the first who brought then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Kashmir where he offered hand of friendship to Jammu and Kashmir and declared that Kashmir can be solved under the ambit of Insaniyat.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi had referred to Vajpayee maintaining that his government would complete the latter’s “dream” for the state.
The PDP leader claimed that his government had “stopped the dreaded task force, routine frisking and created a sense of security in this state.” He said that his government had adopted the “healing touch policy and created the way for both India and Pakistan to discuss Kashmir on the table.” And that there was no violence when his government was in power. He stayed on this theme of peace and calm maintaining, “during my rule in 2002 I took Kashmir to new level where peace prevailed and people were free to go wherever they want "
Mufti attacked the National Conference government on different counts. He insisted that the Chief Minister “knew that Afzal. Guru was supposed to be hanged and he signed the document as well "
The PDP is hoping to sweep the Kashmir Valley and emerge as the single largest party in the state. Mufti is its declared chief ministerial candidate. The PDP has not ruled out an alliance, or a post poll understanding with the BJP.
