Search the Internet          Tips

Vajpayee ready for political solution to J&K issue

Our Correspondent in Srinagar

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar at the end of his three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday said he is ready to initiate a political process to resolve the Kashmir issue, but categorically said that Pakistan would have no role in it.

On the assembly election due before October, the prime minister said, "I have already announced and I will repeat that these will be free, fair and impartial."

Vajpayee said he was looking forward to the coming polls with the hope that they will help in improving the situation.

"We want all the people of the state from all walks of life to participate in the elections," he said, adding the Election Commission has already revised the voter list.

"Steps are being taken to ensure that no person is left out," the prime minister said.

Asked when he would be declaring a war against Pakistan, he said, "There is a proxy war going on for the last 12 years. We have been fighting it non-stop."

Vajpayee asserted that India was preparing 'for a decisive victory against the enemy'. Terming the situation on the borders with Pakistan as 'serious' and 'challenging', Vajpayee nevertheless indicated that India hoped that war was not on the horizon.

Vajpayee said that India had accepted the challenge 'thrown by our neighbour and we are preparing ourselves for a decisive victory against the enemy'.

Commenting on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's January 12 speech, Vajpayee said, "Lot of promises were made by Musharraf but they were not implemented. Declaration is not important, but implementation is important. Words must be met with deeds."

When a reporter said that there were slogans about Azadi in Kashmir and that the people were feeling disconnected with the government, Vajpayee shot back: "How does this question arise? We are fully connected with the people of Jammu & Kashmir. I am ready to meet everyone."

"I had invited lot of political party leaders and met many of them. And, the talks will go on," Vajpayee added.

Vajpayee refused to comment on the autonomy demand made by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah saying the question should be put to Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani.

"We are ready to talk on that but I asked the Chief Minister of J&K, Farooq Abdullah, why do they want autonomy? Under the present constitutional set-up, what prevents J&K from progressing?" he asked.

When a reporter asked why he did not meet All-Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders, he said, "K C Pant (who is the central government's interlocutor) wanted to meet them but they did not want to meet him. The problem is that they want to involve Pakistan and there is no question of involvement of Pakistan."

When a reporter asked Vajpayee what he meant by 'decisive battle' he said, "Do you want me to disclose everything in the press conference?"

When asked 'aar paar ki ladaai kab Hogi? (when will war happen?)', Vajpayee said, "Aage aage dekhiye hota hai kya (Just see what happens in future)"

Asked how Gujarat situation will affect Kashmir, Vajpayee said, "Any such incident in one part of the country is bound to affect the other part of the country. But right now, the situation in Gujarat has improved and it is peaceful."

Terrorism Strikes in Jammu: The complete coverage

Related Reports:
PM announces economic package for J&K
Stop cross-border terrorism: Blair to Pak
Pak deploys missile batteries along LoC
Vajpayee reviews security situation in J&K
Pakistan call for mediation
Army inducts nuclear attack resistant shelters
Pakistani troops fire at Punjab village
Indo-Pak stand-off likely to top Bush-Putin summit agenda
US actively engaged in easing Indo-Pak tensions: Cheney
Unified Command meet begins in Srinagar
Pakistan to withdraw troops from UN peace mission

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report