New Delhi: In a significant step aimed at ending the political impasse after the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and its bifurcation into Union Territories, at least 14 leaders have received calls for an all-party meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on June 24.
The meeting comes amid reports that Prime Minister Modi may discuss the restoration of statehood and other important issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir with the leaders of the erstwhile state.
At least 14 leaders, including four former chief ministers – Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah of the National Conference besides People’s Democratic Party (PDP) supremo Mehbooba Mufti and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad – have received calls from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to attend the meeting.
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The Centre has reached out to the mainstream parties in Jammu and Kashmir for a meeting to discuss the delimitation exercise or the process of redrawing constituencies in the Union Territory, sources added.
According to reports, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla reached out to these leaders, including Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) leader Altaf Bukhari and People's Conference head Sajjad Lone, to invite them to the meeting at Prime Minister Modi’s official 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence to discuss the future course of action for the Union Territory.
Earlier in the day, the PDP supremo said she has not yet received a formal invite for Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with all parties of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Yes, I have received a call, but not a formal invitation yet,” Mufti said.
The former chief minister further said that she would hold a meeting with her party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting on Sunday to discuss the Centre’s invite for Prime Minister Modi’s meeting.
"I am holding a PAC meeting tomorrow to discuss the same and take a decision on whether to participate or not in the meeting," ANI quoted Mufti as saying.
The Congress too echoed similar sentiments stating the party shall take a view on issue of participation in consultation with senior leadership in a couple of days.
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The party said Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir received a call from the Union Home Secretary for a scheduled meeting of all parties of Jammu and Kashmir on June 24.
Earlier on August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Modi-led government abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and bifurcated it into two Union territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.