Ghulam Nabi Azad

SRINAGAR: The much-awaited second round of talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and leaders of the moderate Hurriyat Conference would take place soon, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Tuesday. He said he was ready for mid-term elections in the State in case the separatists agreed to participate in the polls.

Agenda

In an exclusive interview to The Hindu , Mr. Azad spelt out his agenda for the next three years and said he would concentrate on good governance, restoration of normality and putting Jammu and Kashmir on the development path. While there could be no compromise on violence and dealing with the militants, he had "told the security forces and the police to keep in mind the local sensitivities while taking them on [militants]."

"To uphold the dignity and honour of the people is our priority," he added. Mr. Azad denied that custodial killings were going on in spite of his directives. "No, there was no custodial killing since I took over except one, and for that I have ordered an inquiry."

Facilitating dialogue

Mr. Azad said his Government would facilitate the dialogue between the Centre and the separatists. "We will not come in the way of the dialogue and will even persuade other groups to participate." "I have recently spoken to the Prime Minister and urged him to resume the dialogue with the Hurriyat and it will happen soon."

At the same time, "they [Hurriyat] should join the elections and test their popularity." "Even if they are ready to take part in the elections now, we will not wait for the rest of the three-year term," he said.

Self-rule

On the much-talked-about self-rule, Mr. Azad said: "I cannot understand what they are talking about. To me self-rule means electing people of your choice, and as far as the elections — particularly those held in 2002 — are concerned, they were endorsed by the world community. We have not been elected by the people of Tamil Nadu or Kerala but by our own people in Jammu and Kashmir."

Referring to Pakistan, he said: "They should understand their problem. We should tell them how to elect representatives in Pakistan and PoK. In Pakistan, they have not conducted elections in the last several years." He wondered why "we are only buying their ideas; we should sell our democracy to them."

Mr. Azad had a dig at those mainstream political parties showing a keen interest in the subject. "That means they have doubts about their own elections." Elections were the best means to "express one's idea. It is the mother of all solutions."

"Rightly or wrongly, Pakistan is party to it [the Kashmir issue] and India as well. People of the State are also party to it." But the process of finding a solution was on. India and Pakistan had gone far ahead in improving their relations. "They should take the talks to the logical conclusion because they have to reach an agreement."

Internal dimension

As for the internal dimension, "who is stopping them [separatists] from coming forward to discuss the issue?" "No solution can be thrust [upon people]. Dialogue, not the gun, is the best way to resolve any issue."

Mr. Azad said the fight against militancy should not be perceived as something against the people. "Who are they [militants] killing? The innocent people of Kashmir and I do not think anybody will approve of it."

Challenges

Eradicating corruption and improving the work culture were his biggest challenges. "When I took over, I thought law and order was the major problem, but here I see the State neck-deep in corruption. I have made it clear that either corruption or Azad will continue. The two cannot go together."

On the continuance of some of his Ministers against whom allegations had been made, he said: "We are waiting for the Accountability Commission to give the final verdict. Believe me, nobody will be spared and the crusade will continue." Mr. Azad said he had "excellent relations with the PDP [the coalition partner]. We have good relations and these will continue in the future." Mr. Azad discounted the talk of regional discrimination. "There is less discrimination between the regions but it exists within regions and districts and I am going to rectify that."

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