Today Gupkar Alliance of Jammu and Kashmir, said that they will attend an all-party meeting this Thursday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The alliance is led by veteran politician Farooq Abdullah. The all party meeting will have important agenda to be covered as per sources with knowledge of the matter.
Last week, sources said that PM Modi called for the all-party meeting. This development comes amid reports that the Centre may discuss restoration of statehood. The discussion may also cover other important issues concerning the union territory. This is PM Modi’s first major outreach to end the political impasse over ending thespecial status of J&K in 2019.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti was among those who participated in the second meeting of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). Among other things, the meeting discussed the Centre’s invitation for the all-party meeting with the Prime Minister.
Dr Abdullah said,”Mehbooba-ji, MdTarigami sahib and I will attend the all-party meeting called by PM. We hope to keep our agenda before PM and HM (Home Minister).” He added that they will put forth their demands for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood.
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On Thursday, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah would be representing the National conference party at the meeting with Prime Minister NarendraModi. A source familiar with the internal talks had indicated, “FarooqSahab could be accompanied by Mehboobaji or Tarigami. Final decision will be taken within next two days”.
The Gupkar Alliance is a seven-party alliance of mainstream parties which was formed to campaign for the restoration of special status to J&K.
Ms Mufti said, “Statehood (for Jammu and Kashmir) is the Prime Minister’s own commitment. They would not be doing us a favour by giving us statehood back. Gupkar Alliance has been formed for the restoration of what was taken away from us on August 5, 2019.”
Another alliance member Muzaffar Shah said,”There can be no compromise on Article 370 and 35A.”
In this context, last FridayHome Minister Amit Shah met National Security Adviser AjitDoval, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and top security and intelligence officers.In August 2019, the Centre ended the special status to J&K and divided the state into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir &Ladakh.
Just before the Centre announced the big decisions in parliament, top leaders in J&K including Ms Mufti, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah were arrested. The three former chief ministers were released later, with Omar Abdullah released after nearly 8 months.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the Centre was likely to start the political process that has been virtually non-existent since 2019.
The Centre is also expected to discuss assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The assembly elections in J&K are due since 2018, when the BJP snapped ties with its coalition partner and then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.In December, local body polls in Jammu and Kashmir were held. The Gupkar Alliance won more than 100 seats and the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 74 seats.
