Guwahati, Feb 2 (UNI): The CPI(M), an ally of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre, favours greater political autonomy and related economic development to address the issue of regional aspirations in the North-east and Jammu & Kashmir. Talking to UNI at Sarbhog in Assam, CPI(M) central committee member and MP Md. Salim said that only greater political autonomy and related economic independence within the framework of the Constitution could solve the hitherto unresolved issues in the NE and J&K.
Salim is in-charge of NE and J&K, along with SR Pillai, politburo member, on behalf of CPI(M).
He said, "be it J&K or the Naga problem, greater political autonomy is the only solution."
Welcoming the initiative by Jnanpith Award winning author Indira Goswami to bring the Centre and ULFA to the negotiation table, Salim wanted the Congress-led UPA to walk some extra mile to bring peace in Assam.
With regard to regional aspirations of tribals in different parts of Assam and the NE, Salim advised the Congress Government, led by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to follow the models of ‘Tripura Autonomous Tribal Council or Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council’.
Salim pointed out that late Rajiv Gandhi worked in tandem with former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu to pave the way for DGHC’s formation to address issues concerning Gorkhas and other people residing in the area.
With regard to J&K, Salim said that people on either side of the border were interested in peace and there were some who tried to derail it. He, however, appreciated the initiative by both the Centre and Pakistan to initiate dialogues for peace in the region.
Salim urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to use the bill on regional autonomy passed in J&K Assembly by the then Government led by Farooq Abdullah as the basis to work out a feasible and meaningful solution to the problem.
Salim was at Sarbhog in Barpeta in Assam in connection with the 18th state conference of Assam unit of the party, as a run up to the 18th party congress to be held in Delhi between April 6 and 11.
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