Ahead of J&K Assembly polls, 8 parties hold joint meeting

Srinagar: In the run-up to next year`s assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, eight political parties on Wednesday held a joint meeting here, flaying policies of the NC-led coalition government and pressing for Indo-Pak dialogue to end "political uncertainty" in the state.

"We are of the considered opinion that there is no security solution to the Kashmir issue. The leadership of both India and Pakistan need to exhibit statesmanship to find out acceptable solution to all outstanding issues, including Kashmir," said a statement issued after the meeting. "India and Pakistan cannot afford to continue with the present hostile atmosphere and for this alternative solutions are to be looked into. "It is our firm belief that only a sustained and meaningful dialogue can lead the two countries towards that goal," the statement said. There was more than a single layer of problems that confront the people in Jammu and Kashmir, it said. "And at its heart is the political uncertainty. This essential factor has had a huge impact all these years of the turmoil on all important dimensions of day-to-day life. "From deprivation of political rights, transparency, accountability and effective and participatory governance, the people have been facing a range of challenges like price rise, irresponsive administration, corruption, ever-increasing unemployment, malpractices, favouritism, delayed justice and lack of accountability," the statement said. The meeting was attended by state CPI(M) secretary MY Tarigami, PDF president Hakim Mohammad Yasin, state Samajawdi party chief Sheikh Abdul Rehman, Awami National Conference vice-president Muzaffar Shah, JKNDF head Abdul Rashid Kabuli, International Democratic Party president ID Khajuria, State CPI Secretary A R Tukru and Lok Janshakti Party chief Sanjay Saraf. PTI