Govt fully committed to democratic process in J&K, says PM; Mahbooba, Omar seek restoration of Article 370

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in all-party meeting on Jammu and Kashmir, said that his government is fully committed to the “democratic process” in the region and holding the assembly elections is a priority, sources said.
During a three-and-a-half-hour long meeting with 14 leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister patiently heard out suggestions and inputs from all participants. “PM said that we are fully committed to the democratic process in J&K. He stressed that holding assembly elections just like the successful conduct of DDC (District Development Council) elections is a priority,” sources said.

However, PDP leader Mahbooba Mufti and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah reportedly told PM that people of Jammu and Kashmir won’t be satisfied until Article 370 is restored.

This was the first meeting between the Centre with the political leaders of the region after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.
PM Modi expressed happiness that all participants shared their frank and honest views.
“It was an open discussion which revolved around building a better future for Kashmir. The main focus of the meeting was to strengthen the democratic process,” sources said.
According to sources, discussions were focused on holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir soon after delimitation process is completed, to which most participants expressed their willingness.
The Prime Minister, sources added, emphasised on the need to strengthen democracy at the grassroots and work together with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure their upliftment.
Leaders of Gupkar alliance including National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti also attended the crucial meeting.
PM Modi expressed happiness on the commitment to the Constitution and democracy espoused by all participants. He said that even one death in Jammu and Kashmir is painful and it is ‘our collective duty to protect our younger generation’.
Stressing on the need to provide opportunities to the youth of the Union Territory, the Prime Minister said that younger generation of the region will give back lots to the country.
The developmental work with implementation of many pro-people initiatives, carried out over the last two years in Jammu and Kashmir, was discussed in detail in the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s residence.
PM Modi expressed satisfaction with the acceleration of development in the Union Territory and said that ‘it is creating new hope and aspirations among the people’.
“When people experience corruption free governance, it inspires trust among the people and people also extend their co-operation to the administration and this is visible in Jammu and Kashmir today,” the Prime Minister said, according to sources.
The Prime Minister said that there would be political differences but everyone should work in national interest for the benefit of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He underlined that an atmosphere of safety and security needs to be ensured for all sections of society in the region.
PM Modi said that he wants to remove ‘Dilli ki Duri as well as Dil Ki Duri’.
Among the leaders who participated in the meeting were Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad, Tara Chand and GA Mir; National Conference’s Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah; PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti, J-K Apni Party’s Altaf Bukhari; BJP’s Ravinder Raina, Nirmal Singh, and Kavinder Gupta; CPI(M)’s M Y Tarigami; National Panthers Party’s Prof Bheem Singh; and Peoples Conference’s Sajad Gani Lone.
Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Home Secretary also attended the meeting.

‘PM Modi urged J-K leaders to participate in delimitation’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the meeting of political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir that the assembly election process will begin when the delimitation process ends, Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari said.
Bukhari told media persons that talks were held in a “good atmosphere”. He said the Prime Minister urged the political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the delimitation process.
The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party leader said the Prime Minister also told the meeting that the government was committed to the restoration of statehood.
“The Prime Minister heard our issues of all leaders. He said that the election process will begin when the delimitation process finishes. The Prime Minister asked all to participate in the delimitation process. We have been assured that this is the roadmap towards elections. Prime Minister also said that we are committed to the restoration of statehood,” he said.

‘Delimitation exercise, peaceful elections in J-K important milestones in restoring statehood’

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the all-party meeting with the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conducted in a “very cordial” environment and asserted that the delimitation exercise and peaceful elections are important milestones in restoring statehood of Jammu and Kashmir as promised in Parliament.
“Today’s meeting on Jammu and Kashmir was conducted in a very cordial environment. Everyone expressed their commitment to democracy and the Constitution. It was stressed to strengthen the democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir,” Shah tweeted. “We are committed to ensuring all-round development of J-K. The future of Jammu and Kashmir was discussed and the delimitation exercise and peaceful elections are important milestones in restoring statehood as promised in parliament,” he said in another tweet. – ANI