Disappointed at PM Modi for not handling Kashmir issue as promised: Mehbooba Mufti

MUMBAI: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that she and Kashmir are disappointed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not handling the Kashmir issue has they promised to. She also said that the SAARC countries should intervene and make Kashmir a model of co-operation and said that change in borders is not the answer but making the borders irrelevant is.
"When we joined hands with the BJP I knew it was a political suicide for us.But I did it for Kashimir and its people. We were hoping that Modi, with the huge mandate it had received will take some decisions for the state, just like Vajpayeeji and my father had done. The era of Vajpayeeji in the Centre and my father as the CM (2002-2005) was a golden era. We were hoping for the era to return with Modi, but nothing happened," said Mufti, who was in Mumbai to attend an event held by Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
Mufti said that the narative of 'Azaadi' must change, the concept needs to evolve and should be in line with our Constitution. "Pakistan has to be a part of the solution. We must talk to Pakistan and not think of ourselves as anti-national when we do that. Vajpayeeji in 2002 started the talk and Pakistan had responded too, but the following government under UPA government Manmohan Singh did not continue their work," said Mufti.
The PDP chief also said the need today was to make borders "irrelevant" and that many routes to Central Asia get connected with India through Kashmir.
On India-Pakistan relations after Imran Khan was sworn as Pakistan PM, Mufti said,"People keep saying that Imran Khan is a proxy for the Army. If he is, then it is better because Army and he will be on the same page. He is says go for a dialougue or reconciliation it will be better,"said Mufti.
When asked if she would be consider an alliance with the Congress and National Conference, she said, "We had never thought we would ally with the BJP. Now, an alliance with the Congress and NC depends on the need of the hour," said Mufti. Mufti further said as far as Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was concerned, he fought his first election in 1994. "He has given all this a lot of time. He is now arriving," she said.