Jammu& Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah Led NC Delegation Calls On PM Modi; Seeks Assembly Polls Before Year End

The delegation, which met Modi for about 20 minutes, also requested him not to take any step that may lead to deterioration in the situation in the Kashmir Valley.

Image tweeted by @PMOIndia

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveyed to him that assembly elections in the state should be held before the end of the year as it has been one and a half year since a popular elected government has governed Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation which called on the Prime Minister consisted of the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar and former Chief Minister of the state Farooq Abdullah, as well as former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and party MP Hasnain Masoodi. The delegation, which met Modi for about 20 minutes, also requested him not to take any step that may lead to deterioration in the situation in the Kashmir Valley. The meeting comes in the backdrop of the central government sending 100 additional companies or 10,000 personnel of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to the Valley. The government had said the troops were being deployed to strengthen the counter-insurgency grid and law and order duties in the Kashmir Valley. Speculation is also rife that the Centre may have plans to do away with Article 35A, which gives exclusive rights to the state's residents in government jobs and land.

Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar and former CM of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Farooq Abdullah as well as former Chief Minister of J&K, Shri @OmarAbdullah called on PM @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/EPack2f4Gd

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 1, 2019

“We met the Prime Minister. We had sought time from him to tell him about the situation in J&K. There had been tension in valley in last few days,we wanted to tell him about that. We requested him that no step which affects the environment there, should be taken,” said Omar Abdullah after the meeting. “It has been 1.5 years since a popular elected government has governed Jammu and Kashmir. We want that an election be held in the state before the year ends. People be given a chance to make a decision. We will accept the mandate, whatever it may be,” he was quoted as saying by ANI. He said that they have conveyed to the prime minister that the situation in the Kashmir Valley has been improved with great difficulty and it is better than last year, but the situation can deteriorate at any time. "We apprised him about the people's feelings and also told him that there is tension in the people's mind," the National Conference (NC) leader said. Asked whether the speculation about the possibility of scrapping of Article 35A of the Constitution was taken up with the prime minister, Omar said they did not specify about it. "But, when we say that there should be no step, that means it covers all issues, including Article 35A and Article 370. "We are of the view that let a new government be elected and take decisions on it. Let the people decide whom they want to elect. We will accept the people's verdict," he said. Later, in a series of tweets, Omar reiterated the same.

I accompanied @JKNC_ President Dr Farooq Abdullah Sb & Hon MP Justice Masoodi Sb to a meeting with Hon @PMOIndia this morning. During the course of the meeting we briefed Modi Sb about our assessment of the current situation in the state.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 1, 2019

We requested him that no precipitous steps of any sort should be taken that may result in situation in the state, particularly the valley, worsening. We specifically asked him to let subjudice matters be settled by the courts & other matters be settled by an elected government.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 1, 2019

Dr Abdullah Sb reminded the Hon PM that J&K has been without an elected government for well over a year now and requested him to take all necessary steps to facilitate the @ECISVEEP’s conduct of assembly polls before the onset of winter.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 1, 2019