'Ballot only way for people to change their destiny'

Jammu, March 22 (IANS) Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Muhammad Sayeed said Saturday that the ballot is the only way for the people to change their destiny in a democratic set-up.

He was addressing a PDP public meeting in Jammu Saturday.

"We are contesting the Lok Sabha elections to give trusted and credible representatives to the people so that issues related to Jammu and Kashmir are strongly and effectively highlighted in the Lok Sabha," he said.

Sayeed said the time has come when the aspirations and wishes of the people of the state are effectively taken up in the lower house of parliament.

He claimed only his party has the will and the strength to do so.

"Unlike other political parties, PDP has never bartered away the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the sake of power.

"We had just 16 MLAs in 2002, but we scripted a new chapter in the history of the state.

"We restored dignity and honour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It was the result of our convictions that successive governments in New Delhi supported whatever steps we took during our tenure.

"The NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh have endorsed PDP's viewpoint on Kashmir.

"The PDP pioneered a political and economic agenda to establish sustainable peace in the subcontinent and to fulfil aspirations of all regions and sub-regions of the state.

"Establishing lasting peace and consolidating the reconciliation process is at the top of our political agenda. With the support of the people, we want to change the present ineffective system," he said.