SRINAGAR: A day before the scheduled ‘Opposition Unity’ meeting, former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, arrived in Bihar’s Patna to participate in the conclave.
Mehbooba Mufti paid homage at Yousuf Shah Chak’s grave in Bihar upon her arrival, while National Conference Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar confirmed Omar Abdullah’s participation in the meeting.
“Omar Sahab will be attending the opposition meeting in Bihar tomorrow, and he has already left today,” said Dar.
Mufti appealed to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to take steps to preserve the historic site, expressing concern over its dilapidated condition.
“Paid homage at Yousuf Shah Chak’s grave in Bihar. As the last Muslim ruler of Kashmir, his resting place symbolises the ties between Kashmir & Bihar. Unfortunately, the site is in absolute disrepair & ruins. Appeal to @NitishKumarji to preserve this relic of history,” she tweeted.
Notably, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been advocating for opposition unity since severing ties with the BJP last year. He called for a meeting of opposition leaders on June 23, 2023, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
It is worth mentioning that the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been vocal critics of BJP policies, both in Jammu and Kashmir and across the country, following the revocation of Article 370 and the division of J&K into two Union Territories.
Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah, and Omar Abdullah have been critical of the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the delay in conducting assembly elections in J&K.
Meanwhile, a senior Congress leader stated that it is unlikely for anyone from Congress in J&K to participate in the meeting. However, top Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, is expected to attend.
“I am not sure if anyone from Kashmir will represent Congress, but Rahul Ji and other senior leaders are likely to participate,” said the senior Congress leader.
According to reports, 18 political parties will be participating in the meeting in Patna to discuss strategies to challenge the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (KNO)
