J&K Oppn alliance to decide on Tuesday about June 24 meeting with PM
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Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir's opposition alliance, the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) will meet on Tuesday to discuss the possible response to Centre's invitation to an all-party meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 24, a leader of the grouping said.
The PAGD is an alliance of six parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), formed in the wake of the Centre's abrupt decision on August 2019 to de-activate Article 370 and split J&K into two union territories.
The alliance meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at 11 am PTI quoted a PAGD leader as saying. The meeting, according to the leader will take place at the Gupkar residence of National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, also the chairman of the alliance.
PAGD spokesman and senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami confirmed the meeting of the alliance is scheduled to take place on Tuesday to discuss the invitation.
"The process of discussions is on and we are meeting on Tuesday to finalise (the decision on the invitation). We will let our decision be known afterwards," he said.
Fourteen political leaders from Jammu & Kashmir including four former CMs have been invited for the high-level meeting on June 24 to be chaired by the Prime Minister. The meeting is expected to set the roadmap for holding assembly elections in the UT.
The PM's meeting with the political parties from Jammu & Kashmir is part of the Centre's initiatives to bolster political processes, including holding assembly elections, in the union territory.
It may be recalled that parallel to the bifurcation of J&K state into two union territories, most of the opposition leaders were arrested or kept in house arrest and internet connection across the state blocked. In a virtual total lockout, the state came to a halt with no political activity or expression of public opinion, spurring criticisms from within the country and abroad about democracy being curtailed. Political leaders from outside were also barred from entering the state's territory. It was only after several months that curbs were lifted gradually and political leaders were released in stages.
Asked to confirm the PAGD's participation in the in the PM's meeting, the PAGD leader said the constituents were part of the "larger alliance" and will discuss the issue together. He also cited that invitations were sent to individual leaders and not to the alliance, and not even to parties to send their representatives. "But, as we happen to be together as the constituents of the larger alliance, so, we will discuss the issue together as well," he said.
He added that a united approach will be "good for the health of our society and our politics".
"There would be a commonality in our approach this way. That is what is required," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
