'It's a tough job ruling Kashmir'

Sayeed, who heads the firstever multi-party coalition government in J&K, shares his experience and admits that the job is tougher than he had anticipated.

With your innings drawing to a close, how do you feel looking back about being the first chief minister of the first-ever multiparty coalition government?
It was very difficult. It was tougher than I had anticipated. But I am satisfied that I have performed well, keeping things on course. There was a fractured verdict (in the 2002 assembly election). There were four to five parties and individuals as independents. It was a rare combination. And we had to work together.

What were your most difficult moments?
The attack on the Raghunath temple and the massacre of Kashmiri Pandits. These were difficult moments, when I thought things weren't on course. But the Congress stood by us. It was the Congress' support that saw me through those difficult times. Our party was projected as pro-militant and the Congress had to bear the brunt of it. It wasn't easy. The Congress made it clear its "partnership" was a commitment to the state's progress and prosperity.

Today, I feel J&K is on the road to progress. Our economic growth is going to be 10 per cent. The Srinagar-Muzzafarabad road is not just one opening, it signals more openings to come for people on the two sides of the border. Dialogue is the theme, not the gun.

What according to you was the turning point under your chief ministership?
During his visit to Kashmir in April 2003, A.B. Vajpayee extended his hand of friendship to Pakistan. The Congress supported the move. The whole country stood by us all these years.

It's charged that J&K is the second most corrupt state in the country.
Who says so? More than 50,000 youth were employed. There isn't a single case in which irregularity or bribery charges can be levelled.

Who will succeed you from the Congress? Is it Ghulam Nabi Azad?
I really don't know.

What was the October 2002 agreement?
It was an agreement between two parties in which the two share power for three years each. An agreement is an agreement and I have to abide by that.

Who is your natural successor in politics?
No one. I have my own style.