Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 20 (ANI): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti responded to the recent controversy linked to her statement regarding the divisional status for the Pir Panjal and Chenab valley regions of Jammu, distancing PDP (People's Democratic Party) from the 'Dixon Plan.'

During a press conference, Mufti also took a jab at the National Conference Party leader Farooq Abdullah, claiming that his father, the former Jammu and Kashmir CM Sheikh Abdullah 'was arrested due to the Dixon Plan, so it's the NC agenda, not the PDP agenda'

Clarifying her statement regarding the divisional status of Pir Panchal and the Chenab Valley, she said, 'I was talking about administration, I didn't mention anything about the Dixon Plan.'

Highlighting her father's ideology to support her statement, she said, 'Mufti Sahab spent his entire life trying to keep Jammu and Kashmir united.'

She maintained that PDP does not want to divide J&K, and she was asking for divisional administration for these districts as they are faraway which makes it harder for locals to reach out with their grievances to officials.

The Dixon Plan, refers to a proposal by UN mediator Sir Owen Dixon in 1950, which had suggested dividing Jammu & Kashmir, assigning Ladakh to India, Northern Areas/POK to Pakistan, and holding a plebiscite (vote) in the Kashmir Valley under UN supervision. This was rejected by India.

Mehbooba Mufti also welcomed the return of Kashmiri Pandits to Jammu and Kashmir, expressing that 'we want them to come back', highlighting that she previously asked for two seats in the state assembly to be reserved for Kashmiri Pandits.

She responded to a question about the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, 'They should come back, we want them to come back,' adding that two reserved seats for them in the elections would encourage the interactions between them and Kashmiri Muslims, thus improving their relationship.

Earlier on Friday, she also stated India and Iran have traditionally shared very close relations, adding that Iran has also had longstanding ties with Kashmir.

Speaking to ANI here on Friday, she said, 'Iran and India have had very close relations. Iran has also had very close relations with Kashmir, but ever since the BJP government came to power in India, the entire system in the country has changed. Whichever Muslim country America has meddled in, it has ruined that country. America has always interfered in these countries in the name of restoring democracy. The people of Iran should not get involved in this. They should stand with their government.' (ANI)