'People have rejected divisive elements'

Expressing satisfaction over the poll results of Delhi, Rajasthan, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said it is heartening to note that the people of these states while rejecting the divisive forces have reposed their faith in the country's secular leadership.

Addressing a series of public gatherings, during his road-show, in Shopian and Wachi constituencies today, Sayeed said the most striking feature of the poll results coming from the five states, is that the people of the country, by and large, have not got influenced by the hawkish rhetorical influences of the right-wing elements, in the aftermath of the tragic Mumbai attacks.

"These results should give a new hope and strength to the forces of peace and reconciliation in the country and the region," he said and added that the people's verdict must now silence the war-mongers and rejuvenate the forces of peace to ease the prevailing charged atmosphere of enmity in the region.

Sayeed said the Indo-Pak peace process, after overcoming the initial hiccups had entered into a decisive phase as both the countries were resolutely contributing to strengthen it. "However, the November 26 tragedy that struck Mumbai has started threatening the very essence of the process," he said and expressed optimism that despite severe setback, the peace process would slowly but steadily regain momentum as in it lies the remedy to all the problems of the region.

"Instead of tackling the ongoing crisis in isolation, India and Pakistan shall have to work jointly to secure the region from such threats in future," he said and added that cooperative engagement between India and Pakistan would be the biggest rebuff to disruptive elements who are bent upon derailing the peace process.

Mufti said the ongoing assembly elections are a testing time for the people of Jammu & Kashmir, as they would be not just electing their representatives for governance, but chalking out a new political and economic course of action for the State.

"The people of Jammu & Kashmir are now politically emancipated and they know who is going to do justice with their sacred mandate," he said and added that the space for exploitative and emotional politicking has been choked now and only those politicians would survive the public onslaught, who have the capacity, conviction and consistency to deliver on their commitments.