Srinagar, Oct 12: Contesting the Prime Minister's statement that Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls were a vote for unity and integrity of India, Hurriyat Conference, an amalgam of 23 separatist outfits, today said the people had voted in anger against the incumbent government and India.
"We contest Prime Minister's claim that it was a vote for unity and integrity of India. The people voted in anger against the incumbent government and India," Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat told reporters here. "It was an anti-incumbency vote to some extent but people largely voted against excesses of security forces," he said Bhat said said the victory of People' Democratic Party showed that Kashmir issue was yet to be resolved.
PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and even National Conference president Omar Abdullah had reportedly said the polls would not resolve Kashmir issue, he said. Bhat said the elections should not be construed as an alternative to plebiscite. He, however, added "now, if a plebiscite is not workable for some reasons, then let there be a dialogue involving India, Pakistan and Hurriyat Conference." "Let the world see that Hurriyat can contribute in resolving the issue which holds the key to peace and stability in the South Asian region," Bhat said. Bureau Report