Srinagar, Aug 01 (KNS): National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah along with his son and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and MP Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that senior Abdullah led delegation apprised the Prime Minister about the prevailing situation in the state in the backdrop of the Centre’s move to send 100 additional companies of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces to the Valley. “Besides, issues of revocation of Article 35A and reports of delimitation of Assembly and Parliament seats in the state were discussed during the meeting. Abdullah and other leaders told Modi not to take any step that may lead to a deterioration in the situation in Kashmir,” they said.
“During their 20-minute meeting with Modi, the delegation told him to hold Assembly elections in the state as early as possible,” sources added.
On Twitter Omar Abdullah said, “I accompanied @JKNC_ President Dr Farooq Abdullah Sb & Hon MP Justice Masoodi Sb to a meeting with Hon @PMOIndia this morning. During the course of the meeting we briefed Modi Sb about our assessment of the current situation in the state (sic).”
“We requested him that no precipitous steps of any sort should be taken that may result in situation in the state, particularly the valley, worsening. We specifically asked him to let subjudice matters be settled by the courts & other matters be settled by an elected government. Dr Abdullah Sb reminded the Hon PM that J&K has been without an elected government for well over a year now and requested him to take all necessary steps to facilitate the @ECISVEEP’s conduct of assembly polls before the onset of winter,” he said in a series of tweets.
Junior Abdullah said the meeting took place in cordial atmosphere. “The meeting took place in a very cordial atmosphere & we are grateful to @narendramodi Sb for meeting with us today,” he said,
After meeting with the Prime Minister, the NC’s political affairs committee is scheduled to meet in Srinagar on Sunday, where decision regarding president Mehbooba Mufti's appeal for a united stand against Center’s proposed decision to revoke would be taken, a senior party leader told KNS.
Speculations are rife in Kashmir that the Centre may do away with Article 35A, which gives exclusive rights to the state's residents in government jobs and property holding. (KNS)