PDP, Congress, National Conference to discuss participation

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 19

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Conference (NC) and the Congress on Saturday evening confirmed receipt of invitations from the Centre for an all-party meeting on J&K to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on June 24.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said she received a call from the Union Home Secretary, Ajay Bhalla, today evening. “I am holding our political affairs committee meeting tomorrow and will decide whether to participate or not,” Mufti told The Tribune amid indications that the PM’s meeting would bolster the ongoing delimitation exercise for the UT to lay the foundation for a future election.

J&K Congress president Ghulam Ahmed Mir said the Home Secretary had called to invite him but the matter was “too sensitive” and required the approval of the top Congress leadership. “We will hopefully decide by Monday,” he said, adding “The Home Secretary said there was no specific agenda and there would be freewheeling discussions on all matters related to the UT. He said leaders could talk about anything they wanted.”

NC spokesperson Imran Dar also confirmed the call from the Centre but said consultations will be held to decide on attendance.

The Home Ministry has invited former CMs Ghulam Nabi Azad, Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti; former deputy CMs Nirmal Singh, Kavinder Gupta, Muzaffar Beg and Tara Chand; and presidents of mainstream J&K parties for the meeting.