The forwarding note to an earlier mail, 'BJP's U-turn on Kashmir!?', posted on Feb. 26 last, had read: Of course, we'll have to wait and watch how things actually unfold.
In this context, it won't be out of place to mention in passing, that the brand new Foreign Secretary, specially chosen by Modi, is now set to visit Pakistan. And there is not a word of explanation, at least as yet, what exactly has changed since the abrupt unilateral cancellation of the scheduled Secretary-level talks in August last by India. (See the news report at sl. no. II below.) Just to clarify, the talk of "reconciliation" and the forthcoming planned trip of the Indian Foreign Secretary to Pakistan are of course welcome developments. But one must not be too hopeful, right at this moment. (End of the note. Ref.: <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/india-unity/conversations/messages/55596>.) Now, yesterday, soon after being sworn in, in the august presence of a galaxy of BJP leaders, including of course the Prime Minister, the new J&K Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has claimed "that it was at his behest that the PM deputed his foreign secretary for secretary-level talks in Pakistan in the coming days." (See the report at sl. no. I below.) But that was, in no way, the only point that set (the concerned) people abuzz.] I/II. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Historic-PDP-BJP-govt-in-Kashmir-gets-off-to-a-controversial-start/articleshow/46424404.cms [Watch the video and look up the box on the above site.] Historic PDP-BJP govt in Kashmir gets off to a controversial start M Saleem Pandit,TNN | Mar 2, 2015, 01.14 AM IST JAMMU/NEW DELHI: The PDP-BJP coalition government got off to a rocky start with chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed crediting "people from across the border" for the smooth conduct of Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections, only to be challenged by both the BJP and the Congress. "I want to say this on record and I have told this to the PM that we must credit the Hurriyat and militant outfits for the (smooth) conduct of elections in the state," Sayeed said at a press conference after being sworn in as the CM at a ceremony attended by the PM on Sunday. READ ALSO: BJP relents on Article 370, PDP softens on AFSPA Flanked by deputy CM Nirmal Singh of BJP and cabinet minister Haseeb Drabu, Sayeed said, "People from across the border allowed conducive atmosphere during elections. My humble submission is peaceful elections were not possible, if they had done something. You know how small action was needed to disturb the elections. They allowed this democratic process to go ahead. This gives us hope." BJP disagrees with Mufti, credits EC, troops for polls While the BJP central leadership said it was the efforts of the Election Commission and the security forces that ensured peaceful elections, the Congress slammed Mufti, calling his comment a cruel joke on the people of the state and the security forces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with leaders during oath ceremony of New J&K chief minister, in Jammu on Sunday.(PTI Photo) READ ALSO: Omar takes dig at BJP after Mufti says Hurriyat, Pak allowed polls in J&K "J&K CM's statement is most unfortunate and mocks the overwhelming public mandate," said Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala. "With one stroke, the PDP-BJP alliance has taken away the credit from people of J&K for participating in historic polls, and from the EC and security agencies for conducting them. The PM and BJP must answer whether they stand by such unflinching support for Pakistan, Hurriyat and militants," Surjewala added. Former chief minister Omar Abdullah, who skipped the swearing-in ceremony, hit out at Sayeed as well, asking the BJP to explain its stand. READ ALSO: PDP-BJP govt takes oath in J&K in PM's presence "Pakistan, Hurriyat & Militants ALLOWED Peaceful conduct of elections" says Sayeed. I guess we should be grateful to their generosity (sic)," tweeted Omar. And again, "Dear @BJP4India. Please explain role of security forces & polling staff considering your CM just said, 'Pakistan allowed elections in J&K'." READ ALSO: If activists are 'anti-national' for BJP, is new J&K CM Mufti a patriot? ***In fact Mufti said that it was at his behest that the PM deputed his foreign secretary for secretary-level talks in Pakistan in the coming days*** [emphasis added]. "Kashmir has been a problem for every PM since 1947. I told the PM that we should be friends with Pakistan," he said. "We'll together try our best to establish powerful democracy in the state and will request the Centre to initiate unconditional dialogue with the separatists who are really a force to reckon with in Kashmir," Mufti said in reply to a question. "Take Hurriyat and separatists on board as they too have a view-point," he said. Mufti pointed at Sajjad Lone's entry in the cabinet, saying it has opened door for others in the separatist camp to join the mainstream and it has become an eye-opener for them. Significantly, Sajjad, a former separatist and son of slain Hurriyat functionary Abdul Gani Lone, has been inducted into the cabinet from the BJP's quota of ministers. READ ALSO: BJP downplays U-turn on Article 370 as coalition govt takes charge in J&K The CM said the PDP-BJP common minimum programme called "Agenda of the Alliance" states that the coalition government will examine the need for de-notifying "disturbed areas" and enable the Central government to take a final view on the continuation of AFSPA in those areas. J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed with deputy CM Nirmal Singh speak with media during the press conference, in Jammu on Sunday. (PTI Photo) He also said he would ask the Army and security forces to vacate land and properties in the state that they are in unauthorized occupation of, quickly adding they would also be asked to get these regularized wherever needed. "We want to make this alliance a turning point in trying to meet the hearts and minds of the people of the two regions," Mufti said. "We've a historic opportunity, and we want a new chapter," he said, adding, "Unemployment is the main challenge. We want to create people employers here." II. http://www.dailykashmirimages.com/news-pdp-takes-lions-share-11-out-of-16-cabinet-ministers-73669.aspx PDP takes lion's share, 11 out of 16 cabinet ministers Monday, 02 03 2015 10:09 05 districts lack representation JAMMU, Mar 01: With Muhammad Mufti Sayeed taking over as the 12th Chief Minister of J&K Sunday, the balance of ministers in newly formed government seems to be tilted in his PDP's favour. In total of 16 cabinet ministers, PDP has taken proverbial lion's share with 11 besides the Chief Minister. These include Abdul Rahman Veeri, Javed Mustafa Mir, Abdul Haq Khan, Syed Basharat Bukhari, Chaudhary Zulfikar Ali, Dr Haseeb Drabu, Ghulam Nabi Lone, Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Imran Ansari and Naeem Akhtar. BJP's ministers include Dr Nirmal Singh, Chandar Prakash, Lal Singh, Bali Baghat, and Sukhnandan Kumar. Peoples Conference chief Sajjad Gani Lone has also got a ministerial berth from BJP quota. Among the eight Ministers of State(MoS), PDP has three -- Abdul Majid Paddar, Mohammad Ashraf Mir and Aasia Naqash, while BJP has made five in this category -- Sheiling Dhorje, Sunil Kumar Sharma, Abdul Gani Kohli, Priya Sethi and Pawan Kumar Gupta. Analyzing the representation of areas in the government, it seems that few areas are left out. South Kashmir's district Anantnag has two cabinet ministers including Chief Ministers Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and Abdul Rehman Veeri. Pulwama has Dr Haseeb Drabu, while nearby Kulgam has got MoS, Abdul Majeed Paddar. Srinagar, which gave five seats to PDP has got three ministers -- one cabinet minister in Muhammad Altaf Bukhari and two MoS as Muhammad Ashraf Mir and Asiya Naqash. In north Kashmir, Kupwara has got two cabinet ministers, Sajjad Ghani Lone and Abdul Haq Khan, while as district Baramulla has two cabinet ministers Syed Basharat Bukhari and Imran Ansari Central Kashmir's district Budgam has got two cabinet ministers, Ghulam Nabi Lone and Javid Mustafa Mir. Another district of Central Kashmir, Ganderbal has no representation. While as from nearby Bandipora, PDP's chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar is a cabinet minister. >From Jammu's Poonch, Chaudhary Zuklfikar Ali is cabinet minister and Abdul Gani Kohli, MoS. Sheiling Dhorje represents Leh, and Kargil has no representation. In Jammu's Udhampur, Dr Nirmal Singh is cabinet minister and Pawan Kumar Gupta as MoS. Chandar Prakash is cabinet minister from Vijaypur and former Congress and now BJP man Lal Singh a cabinet minister from Kathua. Bali Baghat is cabinet minister from Jammu West, Sukhnandan Kumar will represent Marh area of Jammu. Kishtwar has got one MoS in Sunil Kumar Sharma while as Priya Sethi is nominated member to the house. -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
