SRINAGAR: The mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir are likely to be invited by New Delhi on June 24 to start a political engagement for paving the way for the restoration of statehood, the Hindu reported on Friday.
Several constituents of the Gupkar Alliance, an amalgam of five political parties fighting for the pre-August 5, 2019 position of J&K, met in Srinagar on Friday to “discuss the future course”, the Hindu report read.
As J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the top police officials met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Friday, sources said the Centre is likely to invite J&K parties on June 24 or after that. J&K has split into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh 22 months ago.
Sources said both the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), key constituents of the Gupkar alliance, are weighing their options in case a political process is announced by the Centre. The PDP is likely to hold a meeting of its leaders to “take stock of the situation and decide whether to attend it or not”.
Sources said the constituents of the Gupkar alliance lack consensus on what terms to engage with Delhi and how to bridge the mistrust, sources said. NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who was summoned and his property was attached by the Enforcement Directorate in a case, has also dropped broad hints at engaging Delhi. Sources said Dr. Abdullah, also president of the Gupkar alliance, is likely to call a meeting of the constituents of the amalgam in the coming days.
The Centre ended J&K’s special constitutional position on August 5, 2019. It was followed by a major crackdown and jailing of the mainstream leaders’ political parties, including Dr. Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti.
