SRINAGAR: Expressing surprise over the bizarre stand of the Congress party on release of separatist leader Masarat Alam, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Rajya Sabha MP Fayaz Ahmad Mir today reminded the “Grand Old Party” about the release of several incarcerated separatist and political leaders including Hurriyat (G) leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, in 2002, when it formed a coalition Government with PDP in the State.
Fayaz said the Congress is getting old with age and forgetting things in a hurry. The Congress today created ruckus in both Houses of the Parliament on release of Alam.
In a hard-hitting speech in Rajya Sabha today, Fayaz targeted Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister of J&K and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, on Congress’s stand on release of Masarat Alam. He reiterated PDP’s position on its policy of reconciliation and reaching out to all sections of the society to embed lasting peace, prosperity and development in the State.
Accusing the Congress of changing colours like chameleon for petty political and electoral gains by taking diametrically opposite stands on several political issues in the State, the PDP MP asked Azad to recall and clarify his statement on return of mortal remains of Afzal Guru, which seemed to be a bait he threw in lieu for securing his Rajya Sabha seat. “Did you not say that the Government of India erred on not returning the mortal remains of Afzal Guru after he was hanged and buried inside Tihar Jail or was it a move to secure your waning political stature in the State,” he asked Azad.
In a separate statement, the Rajya Sabha MP, said that the coalition Government under the Agenda of Alliance is mandated to facilitate and help initiate a sustained and meaningful dialogue with all internal stakeholders, which include all political groups irrespective of their ideological views and preferences.
Fayaz said the PDP shall continue its policy of reconciliation and healing touch that it initiated in 2002 when it first formed the Government in the State, ironically with the Congress when several historical and path-breaking steps were taken to win back the confidence of the people.