Mufti calls for free, fair polls in Kashmir

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU NOV. 6.Former Union Minister and People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said today that the Centre had nothing to offer to the alienated masses of Jammu and Kashmir but ``free and fair elections'' which, he said, could be possible only if Dr.Farooq Abdullah was out of power.

Alleging that the National Conference government headed by Dr.Abdullah had failed on all fronts and that corruption, nepotism and bad governance had crossed all the limits, Mr. Sayeed told mediapersons here that there was a need for a healing touch for the situation in the State. It is time for the Central Government to come out with a comprehensive economic package for the State.

Strongly demanding elections without Dr.Abdullah in power, Mr. Sayeed said that ``free and fair'' elections could be the best tool to fight the feeling of alienation among the people of the State, who have lost faith in the democratic system.

When asked whether his party demands Governor's rule for conducting elections, Mr. Mufti avoided a reply but maintained that they (Centre) should tell Mr. Farooq to be away at that time which would not only be in the interest of the country but in Dr.Farooq Abdullah's interest as well. If he makes a comeback in those elections we will have no problem in accepting him, he added. Otherwise, he warned that the situation in Kashmir would worsen.

He hailed the efforts of the Prime Minister, Mr. Vajpayee, for restoring peace and confidence in the State and urged that such initiatives should not be abandoned.

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