Left for unconditional talks iwth Hizbul

NEW DELHI, JULY 31: Advocating unconditional talks with the Hizbul Mujahideen, the Left Parties today accused the NDA Government of creati...

NEW DELHI, JULY 31: Advocating unconditional talks with the Hizbul Mujahideen, the Left Parties today accused the NDA Government of creating ambiguity over the entire issue.

“It is difficult to decide which is the authentic voice (of the Government). The Government should cease hostilities and just go ahead with the talks. It should not create unnecessary ambiguity by bringing in the Constitution,” CPI(M) politburo member Sitaram Yechuri said.

Incidentally, the Left Parties were highly supportive of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah’s demand of autonomy for the state, to the extent that they were backing him against the Government’s move to open a dialogue with the quasi-militant All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC).

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Taken aback by the hard-core Hizbul’s offer of a cease-fire and peace talks, the Left is reacting like most others, welcoming the initiative.

However, CPI(M) general secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet added a sudden corollary saying that the Government should step down from its high horse and open negotiations with Pakistan. “The Indian Government has had working relations with other Pakistani dictators so why make an exception with Musharraf. When we have no problems with holding unconditional talks with insurgents, why not with Muhsarraf? He is, after all, the executive authority of Pakistan,” Surjeet said, adding it was generally wrong to boycott any Government.

Even the CPI(M) central committee which met here for two days is said to have taken a pro-Musharraf stand in order to open fresh dialogue with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.