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Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir's chief minister-designate and People's Democratic Party chief, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, on Monday said his government would seek a political package for the state from the Centre.
The Mufti, who arrived in Srinagar after successfully closing his party's talks with the Congress on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, said he has his coalition partner's support to start an unconditional dialogue with all sections of the people.
Addressing a huge gathering in front of his Nowgam house, the Mufti said: "All those responsible for corruption and nepotism -- whether politicians, bureaucrats or police officers -- would face the consequences. We won't be revengeful. But there will be accountability. My ministers will set an example."
The PDP chief said the Prevention of Terrorism Act will be repealed in the state and the anti-terrorist Special Operations Group of the J&K police would be assimilated in the regular ranks of the force.
"I will take along the Congress and other constituents of our alliance and usher in a new era when we assume office," the Mufti said.
Earlier, he arrived in Srinagar with his daughter and PDP vice-president Mehbooba Mufti to a rousing welcome.
PDP supporters drove them to their Nowgam residence in a cavalcade of buses, cars and mini-buses.
He told the gathering that he has been assured all help by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Meanwhile, the Hurriyat Conference cautiously welcomed the announcement by the Mufti to release political prisoners but maintained that the Kashmir problem could be resolved only through a trilateral dialogue involving India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir.
"The talk of giving a healing touch to the people of the state is all good, but such platitudes won't take us anywhere as far as a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue is concerned," a Hurriyat spokesman said.
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