MOMENT OF TRUTH

Despair has been the default setting in J&K for too long, but this assembly election brings stirrings of hope. Eight prominent politicians speak to Group Editorial Director Raj Chengappa on their many disagreements and aspirations

- Raj Chengappa

"For us, resolving the Kashmir issue is the priority. Then come unemployment, inflation, the environment, and drug addiction " - MEHBOOBA MUFTI

Q. What is the significance of this election?

• OMAR ABDULLAH: This assembly election has come after much kicking and screaming on the part of the government of India. Left to them, we wouldn't have had this election. This election has been foisted upon them by the Supreme Court ordering that it be completed before the 30th of September.

OMAR ABDULLAH

Ex-CM, J&K; former Union Minister of State; Vice-president, J&K National Conference

MEHBOOBA MUFTI SAYEED

Former CM, J&K; President, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party

JITENDRA SINGH

Union MoS; Udhampur MP; Member, BJP national executive

TARIQ HAMEED KARRA

Former MP, Srinagar; President, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee

SHEIKH ABDUL 'ENGINEER' RASHID

Baramulla MP; Founder, Awami Ittehad Party

SAJAD GHANI LONE

Former MLA; Chairman, J&K People's Conference

SYED MOHAMMAD

ALTAF BUKHARI President, J&K Apni Party

RAVINDER RAINA

Former MLA; President, J&K BJP

• MEHBOOBA MUFTI: New Delhi is trying to project as if it has done us a great favour. Despite claiming that they have improved the situation, it took 10 years to hold an election that should have been a routine thing in a democracy. That is unfortunate.