Political process and governance must go together, Mehbooba Mufti said. (File Photo)
Observing that situation in Kashmir depends on Indo-Pak relations, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today emphasised the need for collective efforts of people of India for resolving the issue related to the state which is "unique" in nature.
Mehbooba Mufti said Jammu and Kashmir was not like "other normal states" and though it was easy to become the chief minister, it was a difficult task to handle the state.
Jammu and Kashmir is a "unique issue" which requires that the "political process and the governance must go together", she said, adding "Only a Chief Minister or Prime Minister cannot resolve this issue. It has to be resolved by the people of our country."
Addressing a function on the outskirts of Jammu, she said, "The Kashmir situation also depends on the role of Pakistan and if our relation with that country is good then it has a good impact in the state."
Referring to the recent visit by an all-party delegation of lawmakers to the state, Ms Mehbooba said "it was the beauty of the democracy of our country that when the interest of the country came, leaders of various political parties didn't care for their self-esteem and went to the doorsteps" of the people for peace.
"The issue will be resolved when all political parties of the nation unite...to bring peace in the state. Our Home Minister visited the state thrice and then came with an all-party delegation," she said.
Ms Mehbooba said "our country's big leaders" like Sitaram Yechury of CPI(M), D Raja of CPI, Sharad Yadav of JD(U) and Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM "came to us for the sake of our children. Such honourable people went to the doorsteps (of separatists), but the doors were shut on them...
"I want to salute them and tell them that their effort has not gone waste and the people of the state understand that guests had come and if you (separatists) did not want to talk you could have shown courtesy by not closing the door. We will not let the opportunity slip."
The chief minister said some people only want "violence and bloodshed" which, according to her, would not resolve any issue.
"We don't believe in bloodshed because the democracy of the country is strong enough to look after the people of the state. We need not to see anywhere else but towards the democracy of the country," she said.
Mehbooba Mufti thanked the Home Minister for appointing a nodal officer in Delhi for the students from Jammu and Kashmir.
The chief minister also said efforts were made to "vitiate" the atmosphere in Jammu region but people of the region foiled such nefarious designs.