Delegation calls on NC bosses, seeks their release; PDP leaders allowed to meet Mehbooba today
After 62 days of “house arrest” National Conference president and sitting parliamentarian from Srinagar Farooq Abdullah for the first time met a 15-member delegation of Jammu-based party leaders at his “fortified” Gupkar Road residence in Srinagar on Sunday.
In another significant development, the State administration has also given permission to a 17-member PDP delegation to meet party chief Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar on Monday.
Ever since these leaders were detained, they were not allowed to meet political delegations. Only their family members were permitted to meet them.
The State administration had earlier given permission to the delegation led by former MLA and Jammu provincial president of the National Conference Devender Singh Rana to meet detained leaders.
Before meeting Abdullah, National Conference leaders from Jammu also called on former Chief Minister and party vice-president Omar Abdullah at Hari Niwas guest house.
The delegation discussed developments in the State and upcoming local body polls during the separate meetings with the two leaders.
Though images of Abdullah, flashing victory sign, standing in the company of his wife Molly Abdullah and two senior Parliamentarians from Kashmir Valley hogged limelight throughout the day, Omar Abdullah, sporting a beard, was seen clicking a selfie with party leaders.
After meeting the party president and the vice-president, NC leader Devender Singh Rana told reporters, “Let them be released, then the working committee of the party will meet and discuss and then we will formulate a strategy for the future.”
He, however, remained non-committal on participating in the BDC polls at this juncture. In response to a question whether NC is going to participate in the BDC polls, Rana said, “If the political process has to start then these members have to be released.”
On his return, Rana once again told reporters in Jammu, “The party leadership in Kashmir Valley is behind bars. Even if the mandate has to be signed it will be signed by the party president and proposed by the general secretary”.
He said, at present, both of them are under detention. Therefore for the political process to start it is imperative that all the mainstream political leaders, who are under detention, are released and a conducive atmosphere is created, he said.
Referring to their meeting with Farooq and Omar, Rana told reporters, “We are very happy, both the leaders are well and in good spirits. Of course, they are pained and anguished about developments, particularly lockdown of the people.”
He said the party, which has a legacy, history and a chequered track record, was of unanimous view that it would continue to strive for the welfare of the people and shall continue to work for communal harmony, brotherhood, togetherness and keep the secular fabric of the State shining.