Several mainstream political parties cutting across the ideological divide and separatist groups supported the resumption of dialogue with the Hurriyat, days after Governor Satya Pal Malik welcomed Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s readiness to hold talks with the Centre on Kashmir.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the Hurriyat’s new position. “Better late than never. The underlying purpose of the PDP-BJP alliance was to facilitate dialogue between the Government of India and all the stakeholders. I tried my best to make it happen in my tenure as Chief Minister, but I am relieved that the Hurriyat has finally softened their stand,” Ms. Mufti said.

Hold talks: NC

National Conference (NC) president and Srinagar MP Farooq Abdullah said, “If the Governor says ‘Hurriyat has agreed to talks,’ then talks should be held with them.”

BJP’s national vice-president and J&K affairs in-charge Avinash Rai Khanna said the Centre was open for a dialogue. “Hurriyat leaders are our own people, they are the residents of J&K. So they are most welcome to talk to us, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but within the ambit of the Indian Constitution,” he said in Srinagar.

‘Welcome consensus’

“Support for the dialogue process only endorses one point, that the current militaristic approach adopted by the Centre is not a way out to address the Kashmir problem,” the Mirwaiz told The Hindu. “I think New Delhi should rethink its Kashmir policy and come to the table and involve all the parties. We welcome consensus emerging on dialogue”.