Political parties have welcomed the Centre's decision of appointing former Director of Intelligence Bureau, Dineshwar Sharma, as its representative to hold dialogue on Kashmir issue. <br/><br/>Informing about the Government decision last evening, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government wants to initiate a sustained dialogue to find a solution to the issue. He said, Mr Sharma will be free to talk to all stakeholders. <br/><br/>Mr Singh also recalled the Prime Minister's Independence Day Address in which he had said that problems in the state can be solved by embracing the people and not by bullets or abuses. Welcoming the decision, Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said dialogue is a necessity of the hour and is the only way to go forward. <br/><br/>BJP National general secretary Ram Madhav said, it is a right decision. National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah termed the decision as a promising step. Congress national spokesperson Manish Tewari said it indicates that realists in the Government have prevailed over hawks. He said, hard power is not an end but means towards an end. <br/><br/>Talking to media after the appointment, Dineshwar Sharma said, his priority would be finding peace and a permanent solution of the issue. Talking to AIR, Former IG, BSF, K Srinivasan also welcomed the step and hoped that it will lead to the logical conclusion.