Jammu: Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Sunday praised the Hurriyat, Pakistan and militants for allowing successful elections in the state, evoking strong reactions from the opposition even as ally BJP reacted with caution.
"Pakistan, Hurriyat and militants allowed conducive atmosphere for assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir," CM Sayeed said in his first press conference after assuming office as chief minister of the state.
Mufti Sayeed's statement drew very strong response from the opposition parties in the state.
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah took a dig at BJP questioning its stand on the issue.
Dear BJP, please explain role of security forces and polling staff considering your CM just said 'Pak allowed elections in J&K', Omar tweeted.
The BJP reacted to the CM's statement with caution.
"Fate of people of J&K is far more important than statements of any individual," BJP leader Sambit Patra said when asked about Mufti Sayeed's statement.
Earlier talking to reporters while unveiling the agenda of the new govt, Mufti Sayeed said, "We want to make the alliance a turning point in history to win the hearts and minds of all people of the state."
Stressing the need to engage all stakeholders, CM Sayeed said, "I say take the Hurriyat and the separatist on board, they too have a viewpoint."
Justifying alliance with BJP, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that he went for this alliance not out of any compulsion, but out of conviction.
Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said the BJP-PDP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir was a historic opportunity to take the troubled state to new heights of progress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said the BJP-PDP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir was a "historic opportunity" to take the troubled state to "new heights of progress".
"The PDP-BJP government is a historic opportunity to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and take the state to new heights of progress," Modi said in a tweet.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and the People's Democratic Party formed a government in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday, more than two months after elections produced a hung verdict.
"Witnessed the oath taking ceremony of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Congratulations and best wishes to him and his team," Modi said in another tweet.
