Muscular policy won't work in Kashmir, says Mehbooba
Srinagar, June 19: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti asserted on Tuesday that a muscular policy won't work in the state and also ruled out any other alliance to form a government after the BJP quit the PDP-led alliance.
Addressing the media after submitting her resignation to Governor N.N. Vohra and after chairing a meeting of her party colleagues, Mehbooba Mufti outlined the successes of her PDP-BJP coalition government and warned against a "muscular policy".
"We hold that a muscular policy cannot work in Jammu and Kashmir," she said. "We cannot treat J&K as an enemy territory."
But she did not spare the militants either.
"The ceasefire (of Ramadan) brought relief to people but unfortunately the other side (separatists) did not give a positive response and instead they wanted the ceasefire to end."
The PDP leader said there was insecurity among the minorities in the country after the Modi government came to power in 2014.
"There were incidents of cow vigilantes. We dealt with these incidents with firmness and have tried to keep the three regions of the state together.
"Our workers suffered at the ground level. We made tireless efforts for reconciliation and dialogue and we will continue to do so in the future."
The Chief Minister recalled that her father, the late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, forged an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after a lot of deliberations.
"It took us many months to work out an agenda of alliance based on reconciliation and dialogue. The BJP had support in the Jammu region and the PDP had support in the Valley.
"There was apprehension regarding Article 370 and the special status of the state. We protected Article 370 and Article 35A."
She said 11,000 cases against youths were withdrawn, a ceasefire was announced and an offer of dialogue was made to the separatists.
Asked if she was shocked by the BJP's sudden decision to pull out, she said: "Nothing has shocked me... We were offered support by the Congress and the NC, but we chose to align with the BJP for reconciliation and dialogue because this party held power in the country.
"Breaking the alliance is BJP's prerogative and they have done it."
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Cabinet reshuffle is CM's prerogative in consultation with Cong high command: G Parameshwara
Bengaluru(PTI): Amid speculation that a cabinet reshuffle was on the cards, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister and he would take a decision in consultation with the state Congress President and the high command.
Deputy CM and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar's statement on Tuesday indicating the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle in the days ahead, noting that few Ministers have been given a "message" about their term, has further fueled the speculations about the rejig.
"I don't know about it. Cabinet reshuffle is the Chief Minister's prerogative. He will consult the Pradesh Congress Committee President and go about it, this has been the practice. I don't know what decisions they make. It has to be done in consultation with the high command," Parameshwara told reporters.
To a question on Shivakumar's statement, he said, "He (Shivakumar) is the party state President, I don't know what messages he has sent (to some Ministers)."
Speculations are rife about a cabinet reshuffle and evaluation of the performance of the Ministers ever since the Lok Sabha poll results. There has also been demand from a section of MLAs, who are Ministerial aspirants, to be inducted into the cabinet. Some have openly expressed their wish to become Ministers.
To a question on a seer's comments that the voting rights of Muslims should be revoked, the Home Minister said, making remarks contrary to the Constitution is not right, and no one should speak or go against it.
"Probably he (seer) has not properly seen the principles of the Constitution and the rights and opportunities provided in it for every community and religion. It is clear in the Constitution," he said.
Asked about Congress MLA H R Gaviyappa publicly asking the CM to drop at least two of the five ‘guarantee’ schemes to provide money for development works, the state Home Minister said, "Any legislator asking for funds to his constituency is not wrong, so Gaviyappa is not wrong in asking for funds for his constituency."
"But unfortunately he has expressed his personal opinion regarding the guarantee schemes. That has been taken by the party and the government. We had promised the people of the state that we will full the promises, so we are implementing them. We cannot go back on that," he added.
Deputy CM Shivakumar had on Tuesday said he would issue a showcause notice to Gaviyappa and warned party leaders against making such statements regarding guarantee schemes.
Responding to a question on an Assamese girl found murdered at a serviced apartment in east Bengaluru, Parameshwra said such incidents in a way bring bad name to the city.
"It (alleged murder) is on very personal grounds. Both of them (suspect and victim) knew each other and were in love. They had stayed in a hotel room and he has stabbed her there. Both of them are outsiders. She is from Assam and he is from Kerala. Police keep watch on such things, but when such incidents occur, it in a way brings a bad name to the city," he said.
Asked about the suicide of a woman, who is a suspect in the alleged scam in Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation, the Minister said investigation is on, can't say anything further until the probe is over.
On the protest by prisoners against the jail authorities at Kalaburagi central prison, alleging lack of facilities there, Parameshwara said he will speak to DG (Director General) Prisons about it.
"Already we have reviewed all the jails. If there are any necessities there it will be fulfilled. I will give instructions to the DG," he said.
