Today there will be a meeting among mainstream political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir and the centre. This meeting is the first such move by the Centre since the scrapping of Article 370 & bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories in 2019. The erstwhile state of J&K was bifurcated into two UTs via the Jammu & Kashmir reorganization Act, 2019, which was passed on August 05, 2019 and has been effective since October 31, 2019. All the invitees to the meeting have confirmed their participation. They have reached Delhi for the meeting which will be held at 3 pm today.
Gupkar alliance is formed with parties which were otherwise political foes of each other in the erstwhile state of J&K. This meeting is crucial and yet it presents a catch-22 situation for the participating parties. The centre is playing its cards very close to its chest. Hence, Gupkar alliance leaders do not know what exactly will pan out of the meeting. On the other hand, they do not want to be seen irresponsible by letting go an opportunity to talk with the centre. If nothing substantial comes out of the meeting, they also stand to lose credibility in the eyes of their supporters in J&K. The centre, at the other end has not much to lose, as it is already facing credibility damage due to the second wave of Covid19, a mangled and decimated economy, bungled vaccination, continuing farmers’ movement and suppression of voices of protests among students and civil society.
The parties that will meet PM visibly have at least an iota of advantage in terms of their demands and the current back-foot standing of the centre on various issues.
Let us glance through what various people from different parties had to say ahead of the crucial meeting today.
M Y Tarigami of Gupkar allaince
Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration is a union of different political parties. The alliance wants the central government to restore pre-August 2019 status which includes statehood and Article 370. M Y Tarigami is the chief spokesman for the Gupkar Alliance. He said that the leaders will seek something which is theirs. He said that the leaders will seek support of Congress party. Tarigami commented that the meeting is an opportunity to present the views of PAGD. He said that the Gupkar alliance will discuss everything around Article 35A and Article 370 and that the restoration of statehood is the topmost priority.
Ghulam Nabi Azad & P Chidambaram of Congress
INC was first opposed to the scrapping of Article 370. The party leaders had said that they want restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. Ghulam Nabi Azad, a senior Congress leader and former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, said that the demand for full statehood will be at the top of the agenda for the Congress party. Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader P Chidambaram also took to Twitter presenting his views. Chidambaram said that Congress must push for Jammu and Kashmir’s full statehood.
Altaf Bukhari of J&K Apni party
The J&K Apni Party hit out at the Centre for not inviting it to the meeting. But, it said that they are hopeful of a solution from the meeting. J&K Apni Party’s Altaf Bukhari said, “As a representative of J&K, it is our firm belief that our issues will be resolved by New Delhi, not by Islamabad, Washington, or London.”
Bukhari said that the PM had started a process on March 14, 2020. On that day, a delegation of the Apni Party had met the PM and now he has called an all-party meeting. Bukhari said, “PM should find a way to assuage the pain caused by the abrogation of Article 370. Statehood of J&K should be reinstated, the democratic institution should be restored & elections should be held.”
Sajjad Gani Lone of J&K people’s conference
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference is a party formed by former separatists-turned-mainstream politician Sajjad Gani Lone. He appreciated the initiative by the Prime Minister and hoped that the meeting evolves into something bigger facilitating the restoration of democracy in the Union Territory. There was a need for a new social contract between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi, said the party’s spokesperson. Peoples Conference, headed by Sajad Gani Lone, had pulled out of PAGD and caused a huge setback to the efforts of the Gupkar alliance.
Dogra front
Members of the Dogra Front today staged a protest in Jammu against Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti. A protester said, “This protest is against Mufti’s statement which she gave after the Gupkar meeting that Pakistan is a stakeholder in the Kashmir issue. She should be put behind bars.”
Mehbooba Mufti had been giving controversial statements since the abrogation of Article 370. She had even said that she would not hoist tricolour unless they are allowed to raise the flag of Jammu and Kashmir.
