New Delhi: The historic all-party meeting of Jammu and Kashmir leaders held at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, has just concluded. The political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir along with J&K LG Manoj Sinha and Home Minister Amit Shah attended the meeting.
The Jammu and Kashmir leaders, who participated in the 3.5-hour-long marathon meeting are Ghulam Nabi Azad, Tara Chand and GA Mir of Congress; Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah of National Conference; Mehbooba Mufti of PDP; Altaf Bukhari of Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party; Sajad Gani Lone of People's Conference; M Y Tarigami of CPI(M); Bhim Singh of National Panthers Party; and Ravinder Raina, Nirmal Singh, and Kavinder Gupta of BJP.
This is the first time the Centre is hosting an all-party meeting with Jammu and Kashmir after the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019.
According to sources, PM Narendra Modi heard out suggestions and inputs from all participants. He expressed happiness that all participants shared their honest views. It was an open discussion that revolved around building a better future for Kashmir.
After the conclusion, BJP's Ravinder Raina spoke to the media said that Prime Miniter Modi spoke about Jammu and Kashmir's development during the meeting.
Altaf Bukhari of Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party said, "The talks were held in a good atmosphere today. The Prime Minister heard our issues of all leaders. PM said that the election process will begin when the delimitation process finishes". He further added, "The PM asked all to participate in the delimitation process. We have been assured that this is the roadmap towards elections. PM also said that we are committed to the restoration of statehood."
Congress representative Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "We kept 5 demands in the meeting - grant statehood soon, conduct Assembly elections to restore democracy, rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in J&K, all political detainees should be released, and on domicile rules.
People's Conference leader Sajjad Lone said, "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."
This is the first time after the downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir as two union territories, the central government is holding an outreach with the political parties and leaders of the region.
Also Read: Congress says 'no agenda' ahead of PM's meeting on J&K
