New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Monday sought to side-step controversy over his remark that Pakistan, Hurriyat and militants allowed conducive atmosphere for Assembly elections in the state. However, his daughter and People's Democratic Party (PDP) MP in Lok Sabha Mehbooba Mufti was more upfront when she said there will be teething problems and it will take some time before both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and PDP will be on the same page.
Sayeed said, "No one wants to look at the positives. Everyone wants to look at what Mufti has said. This is all that I have to say," and blamed the media alleging that it made a mountain out of a mole hill.
Speaking on the issue, Mehbooba Mufti reiterated that BJP and PDP are North and South poles, but added that India is changing. "We are coming together," she said.
She admitted that there are going to be "teething problems". "It will take some time but am very hopeful that we will soon be on the same page," she said.
Explaining Sayeed's remark, she said what he meant to say that the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government need to build more stakes not just for the people but others as well. "He is a man of peace and he wants to continue what Vajpayee ji had started," she added.
Mehbooba said her father believes that all issues including Jammu and Kashmir can be solved with talks. "We need to build more stakes for those who have different ideologies. Look at Sajaad Lone, today he is part of the democratic process," she said.
She also said the state government will not bash Pakistan or anyone else.
Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the Centre and the BJP dissociated from Sayeed's remarks and gave credit for peaceful elections in the state to the Election Commission, Army personnel, paramilitary forces and the local people.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Singh said questions were raised by the Opposition after Sayeed's statement. "We disassociate statement of the CM of Jammu and Kashmir completely."
Making a statement after demands were made by the Opposition, Singh said, "The credit for smooth polls in Jammu and Kashmir goes to the Election Commission, Army, paramilitary forces and people of the state."
However, the Congress was not satisfied with Singh's statement. Leader of Congress in the Lower House Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Sayeed's remark. He said the PM should make a statement as he was in the country. He also demanded the negotiation which the PM had with Sayeed.
Singh said he had a word with the PM and he was in the loop over the issue. "I am giving this statement after talking with PM."
Sayeed's remarks have put the BJP in a tight spot as the Centre in August 2014 had cancelled talks with Pakistan after its High Commissioner Abdul Basit in New Delhi met Hurriyat Conference leaders. BJP has always advocated a strong stand against Pakistan and advocates a no-mercy policy towards terrorists while Mufti's People's Democratic Party is in favour of adopting a soft approach.
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