Regional autonomy is required in J&K as regions are vastly different: Farooq

Kolkata, Dec 21 (IANS) A day after vowing to bring a resolution for autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir if his party is voted to power with a majority, National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah on Friday said regional autonomy is necessary in the state as the nature of the regions drastically differs from one another.

"I have talked about regional autonomy because the three regions in J&K -- Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh -- are totally different from each other. So regional autonomy is required so that the people living there do not feel that area is suppressing the other area," the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said here.

Abdullah had said he would bring a resolution for autonomy in the state assembly within 30 days of forming the government.

When asked whether his party would join hands with People's Democratic Party (PDP) to form government in the coming election, he said he is looking to have a majority in the state so that the government can deliver.

"I would love to have a majority to form government in Kashmir. If it does not happen, then we can think about other options. Today we are looking for single party government so that it can deliver. When I came to power on our own in 1996, I was able to bring major developments to the Valley without anybody's interference," he said.

Pointing out that economic development and employment is extremely necessary to reinstate peace in the Valley and bring the youth of Kashmir away from violence, Abdullah said if voted to power, his government would ensure investment-friendly policies.

"If we come to power, I will make sure that the policies are made such that the industrialists do not run away but put up huge industries there," he said.

He also said the state needs drastic infrastructure development including rail and road connectivity which is significantly poor compared to the rest of the country.

Earlier, participating in another programme, Abdullah said the youth of the nation had lost direction, and took an apparent dig at the BJP by saying people are trying to win elections in the name of god.

"Our youth do not know which direction to follow.... On top of it they are trying to win elections in the name of god," Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said here at the 11th World Confluence of Humanity, Power & Spirituality.