Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to chair J&K parties’ meet next week

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to chair a meeting of J&K mainstream parties next week with sources citing the tentative date of June 24. The meeting will be the first government outreach to the parties after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019 and the bifurcation of the state into UTs of J&K and Ladakh.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is learnt to have received a call from the Centre. Invitation will reach the leaders of all major parties, including National Conference, PDP, People’s Conference, J&K Apni Party and the Congress.

The meeting agenda is not known but sources said it could well be a confidence building exercise amid an ongoing delimitation process which is expected to eventually culminate in elections.

CPM leader and spokesperson of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration MY Tarigami said, “If it happens, it will be welcomed.”

JKAP president Bukhari said, “I welcome, if and when, the talks take place.” — TNS

(With inputs from PTI)