Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday welcomed the intention of separatist groups to participate in dialogue process and address state-centric political issues across the table.
"This is a welcome change and in the larger interest of people of Jammu and Kashmir," Abdullah told reporters here. There seems to be a change in them for being ready to talk at the same forum with other political parties to find a solution, he said.
On whether he would dissolve the state Assembly and seek fresh mandate in view of separatists' intention to hold talks, Abdullah said he did not think that talks had reached this level and moreover he did not have the mandate to talk on the issue.
"This is a political issue and the decision on this has to be taken by the party leadership of National Conference and Congress," he said.
Asked if he will allow Hurriyat leaders to go to Pakistan to talk to the leadership there, the Chief Minister said the government had never stopped them from going anywhere and even Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was allowed to go there.
On quiet diplomacy, Omar Abdullah said it has proved fruitful in solving many political issues, that too without media hype, and proved prudent to carry forward the dialogue in right direction.
"The fact is you can move ahead in dialogue process quite easily by keeping it away from media glare," he said. Abdullah said this process is being adopted in J&K with the purpose of holding successful talks.
Home Minister P Chidambaram said in Srinagar last month that the Centre will hold "quiet" talks with all shades of opinion to find a political solution to the Kashmir problem away from media glare that may be "unique". On Hurriyat's inclusion in the talks, Abdullah said that it will not be only Kashmir-centric but "we have to take all on the board in the dialogue process."
To a question on situation in Pakistan, he said, "the instability (in Pakistan) affects the country (India), particularly Jammu and Kashmir," he said. On the working of NC-Congress coalition in the state, he said the government is working in close coordination and there has been no dispute over any decision.
"We are carrying forward the agenda aimed at ameliorating the lot of the people and faster development of the state," he said, adding the focus of the government is for the cause of the people.
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