PM Modi, JK Leaders Meet Ends; Delimitation, Election, Restoration Of Statehood Discussed | HIGHLIGHTS

NC Chief Farooq Abdullah, PDP supremo Mehbooba Mufti and Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad were among those present at the meeting besides other leaders of Jammu and Kashmir.

Modi during an all-party meeting with various political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an all-party meeting with the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir at his official 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence in the national capital on Thursday in a bid to chalk out the future political course of action in the erstwhile state.

The meeting was the Central government’s first major outreach to the political leaders of the erstwhile state since August 2019, when special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution was scrapped.

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) supremo Mehbooba Mufti and Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad were among those present at the meeting besides other leaders of Jammu and Kashmir.

Leaders have left PM Modi's residence as the meeting has concluced. 

Who Said What:

"We kept 5 demands in the meeting- grant statehood soon, conduct Assembly elections to restore democracy, rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu & Kashmir, all political detainees should be released and on domicile rules," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

Azad also informed that Home Minister Amit Shah said government is committed to granting statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and all leaders from the Valley demanded full-fledged statehood.

"Almost 80 % of parties spoke on Article 370 but the matter is sub judice in court. Our demands included full-fledged statehood soon, elections to restore democracy, rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, all political detainees to be released & land, employment guarantee," Azad added.

"We told PM that we don't stand with what was done on August 5, 2019. We are not ready to accept it. But we won't take law into hands. We will fight this in court. We also told PM that there's been breach of trust between State & Centre. It's Centre's duty to restore it," NC leader Omar Abdullah said while speaking to reporters.

"The talks were held in a good atmosphere today. The Prime Minister heard our issues of all leaders. PM said that election process will begin when delimitation process finishes," Apni Party's Altaf Bukhari said while speaking to media.

Bukhari also said that Prime Minister asked leaders of Jammu & Kashmir to participate in the delimitation process and assured that this is the roadmap towards elections. 

Prime Minister also said leaders that Centre is committed to restoration of statehood in Jammu & Kashmir.

"The meeting was held in a very cordial manner. We came out quite positive that hopefully there will be some delivery for the people of Jammu and Kashmir," People's Conference leader Sajjad Lone said while speaking to media.

"All leaders of Jammu and Kashmir have been assured by PM Narendra Modi that all will work together for the future and betterment of J&K. PM Modi heard everyone and said that all steps will be taken for the development of the people of J&K," Ravinder Raina, J&K BJP chief said.

"All leaders demanded statehood. To which PM said, the delimitation process should conclude first and then other issues will be addressed. It was a satisfactory meeting. There was complete unanimity for restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir," said Muzaffar Hussain Baig.

PM Modi Heard Suggestions Of All Participants

According to sources close to news agency ANI, PM Modi heard out suggestions and inputs from all participants. He even expressed happiness that all participants shared their honest views. It was an open discussion that revolved around building a better future for Kashmir.

Even Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval attended the meeting at PM Modi's residence in the national capital. 

The Centre had invited 14 leaders from eight political parties for the meeting.

Prior to the meeting, Farooq Abdullah refused to divulge the details that he would put up before the Centre

“I will keep the demands there and then I will talk to you. Mehbooba Mufti is the president of her party, why should I speak on what she said,” ANI quoted Abdullah as saying.

Mufti on her part said she hopes for a clear resolution to their concerns and added that all issues can be solved through dialogue.

With no agenda announced for the meeting by Modi government, the leaders from Jammu and Kashmir said they have come with an open mind.

The meeting took place a day after the Election Commission held virtual discussions with its representatives in Jammu and Kashmir and the Deputy Commissioners regarding the delimitation of the 90 Assembly constituencies in the Union Territory.