'Hope Modi Knows This is a Historic Opportunity': Mufti Mohammed Sayeed

Mr Sayeed spoke to Barkha Dutt in this exclusive conversation for ndtv.com. Here are some excerpts:

 

NDTV: How hopeful are you that a government will be sworn in by this weekend in Jammu and Kashmir?

 

Sayeed: Negotiations are still on, and we are trying to reach agreement on some difficult issues. We are in no hurry. If we cannot arrive at a common minimum programme that we agree on, let some other parties try and form the government, let someone else be Chief Minister. I cannot compromise on our basic ideology for the sake of the Chief Minister's chair. There are certain issues we cannot compromise on.

 

NDTV: What are the absolute non-negotiable conditions for the PDP?

 

Sayeed: As you are aware, we want a reconciliation process with Pakistan. We don't have to agree with what Pakistan says or demands, but we at least need to talk to them. To that extent, I think the Prime Minister reaching out to Nawaz Sharif and sending the Foreign Secretary is a gigantic step. But we also need a process of dialogue to begin with the Hurriyat Conference. We would like to remind the BJP that it was under their government that their deputy Prime Minister, LK Advani, met the Kashmiri separatists. Once again, I don't say we have to recognise the Hurriyat as the only sentiment; Why would I want to diminish our authority gained through elections? But they do represent a sentiment that needs to be engaged with. On the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, our position is clear. We want a phased withdrawal which can begin with areas where the security situation has improved. We are willing to have a mechanism for its re-imposition were there to be a shift in the security assessment. I have worked with some wonderful Army officers when I was Chief Minister. I always tell the Army - why do you want to take the bad name for other's misdeeds? Even in 2010, when we lost a 100 boys on the streets of Srinagar, it wasn't the Army, it was the police and paramilitary that was responsible. But because of AFSPA, in people's minds, they get the bad name. This time, when two teenage boys driving in a car were pumped with bullets, the government under Narendra Modi made sure the Army immediately took responsibility and apologised. So we are hopeful they will see our point of view. There are other issues like trade and cultural contact across the Line of Control, monetary compensation for the Indus Water Treaty, and of course we cannot compromise on Article 370. We need a specific written assurance on that.

 

NDTV: But do you think the BJP can afford politically to disown itself from abrogating 370 in writing? What if neither of you referred to it at all in the CMP (Common Minimum Program)? Just like the BJP was silent on it during the election campaign this time and even in their vision document?

 

Sayeed: There is already scepticism among ordinary people in the Valley about this alliance because people worry that the BJP will try and change the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir, if not today, then one year or two years down the line. All we are asking for is that they commit that the present status - we aren't even calling it a special status - but the present status of J&K within the Constitution will not be changed or altered. We cannot compromise on this.

 

NDTV: What if they don't agree?

 

Sayeed: Then perhaps they can try and form the government with someone else. I am not desperate to be Chief Minister. I have seen politics for decades. As a former Home Minister, everyone knows I am Indian by conviction. We are negotiating with the BJP as well out of conviction, not compulsion, because I believe this moment presents us with a unique opportunity. But I hope that PM Modi understands that this is a great opportunity for him and one that is not likely to come again. He spoke repeatedly of building on the Vajpayee legacy. This is that chance to take Kashmir even beyond what Vajpayee could. The (voter) turnout shows people are willing to put their faith in an institutional process, but we must engage with their sentiments, their concerns, their fears.

 

NDTV: Why did you not consider the offer from the Congress or from the National Conference?

 

Sayeed: Ghulam Nabi Azad did reach out to me, but given the result, forming a government with the Congress would have meant a skewed religious and regional representation. It would have been a government without enough Hindu representation. I cannot govern the state without taking Jammu along with me. It would only deepen the differences.

 

NDTV: What about the BJP's demands - for delimitation of constituencies and a package for refugees from West Pakistan?

 

Sayeed: We are willing to act per law, but in my understanding the Supreme Court has said no delimitation in the state till 2026. On the West Pakistan refugees, this issue has been hanging fire for 60 years, we cannot act impulsively - we need to move sensitively - and before we do anything on this, we need to allay genuine fears that there is an attempt to change the demographics of the state. 

 

NDTV: Will you be meeting Narendra Modi soon?

 

Sayeed: I think it's best if our negotiators first reach some working understanding. I know it won't be easy, in fact I feel it will be very, very difficult. I remember, when Modi was Gujarat Chief Minister and I was Chief Minister of J&K, we had met in Delhi and he hugged me warmly. That photograph made it to all the papers. This is a really historic opportunity for him - he should grab it with both hands. Our healing touch policy had worked when the PDP was in power; Modi can bring healing to Jammu and Kashmir if he sees the opportunity for peace here.

 

NDTV: You issued a statement after the Delhi verdict that the BJP was being sent a message about the importance of religious diversity. How will you tackle these perceptions in the state? Are you able to drive a harder bargain because the BJP has lost in Delhi?

 

Sayeed: It's clear that issues like "ghar wapasi" and the conversions controversy and other such Hindutva statements have hurt the BJP. The PM for his own sake should speak up on these and silence these people.

 

NDTV: Don't both sides have to move away from ideological rigidity for the sake of the state? Do we really want to waste this election's mandate?

 

Sayeed: Let's be honest. This has been a fractured mandate. I have not got a Kejriwal-type mandate. It's much more important that I can lead a credible alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, than a government for government's sake. If we fail to form a government, that is better than compromising on our key beliefs. I hope again that the PM recognises the opportunity. I am not overly optimistic. I know how difficult it will be to bridge the ideological gap. Let's give the talks some more time.