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"A permanent solution to the Kashmir dispute can be obtained only on the negotiating table, not in the state assembly," said Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, reacting to the prime minister's statement in Parliament on Monday.
"We have had elections in the past, but no assembly could or can solve the Kashmir problem," Prof Bhat told rediff.com on phone from New Delhi.
"Democracy has never been allowed to cross the Jawahar tunnel and strike roots in Kashmir. Elections in this state have always been rigged," said Mehbooba Mufti, the firebrand vice president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
"Democracy and secularism could have cemented the relations between the state and the rest of the country, but the large scale rigging in various elections completely shattered the confidence of Kashmiris."
"An earlier statement by the prime minister had raised hopes that polls in the state would now be fair and free. However, our hopes were dashed when the National Conference misused official machinery to rig the recently held by-poll to the Jammu parliamentary seat," she said.
"While we welcome the prime minister's latest assurance and his invitation to the separatists to participate in the assembly polls, the Centre should give them an assurance that meaningful talks will be held immediately after the elections to solve the Kashmir problem permanently," she added.
The National Conference had a different view of the situation.
"Elections have always been free and fair after 1977," said G N Shaheen, the Srinagar unit president of the state ruling National Conference.
"Our government will ensure free and fair polls in the state," he said.
"The only way to restore the confidence of the people is to grant autonomy to the state," he said.
He challenged the Hurriyat Conference leaders to 'fight the election to see themselves where they stand'.
"If anyone has any complaints, they should approach the Election Commission of India, which conducts the polls."
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