The All-Party Meet called by the Prime Minister of leaders of various political parties from Jammu Kashmir has concluded in a very cordial atmosphere and on expected lines. The course of discussion and issues discussed also remained what has been reported by us and some of the other media.
Prime Minister appreciated the cordial and frank exchange of views in the meeting and stressed over the Centre’s priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in J&K. To achieve this Delimitation process already in place has to complete its exercise fast so that polls can happen and J&K gets an elected Government that gives strength to J&K’s development trajectory. Modi also assured the leaders that he wants to remove the distance between the hearts by a phrase “dil se doori and Dilli se doori’ to end.
As expected, the session was dominated by the demand of restoration of the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, protection of land laws, Domicile law, return of the special status and return of Kashmir Hindus back to the valley. Mehbooba Mufti, as usual, carried her own rhetoric and did not refrain from asking for talks with Pakistan too.
Recalling the recently held panchayat, BDC and DDC polls successfully held in J&K, PM told the leaders of J&K that it was the people, especially the youth who have to provide political leadership to J&K, and ensure their aspirations are duly fulfilled.
Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction at the progress of development projects in J&K. He urged all the leaders to work together for the progress of J&K and to realize the aspirations of youth.
It was also apprised in the meeting that 90% saturation has been achieved in individual beneficiary Central Government schemes in J&K. Several major road projects, two new AIIMS, 7 new Medical Colleges are being set up. New industrial policy has been notified with Rs 28,400 crore package to accelerate industrial growth in J&K with the creation of 4.5 lakh jobs.
Anyway, this is the first meeting between Jammu and Kashmir mainstream parties and the Prime Minister after the Centre revoked the erstwhile state’s special status and carved two union territories out of it in August 2019.
The fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has broken the deadlock after August 2019 is significant. The initiative has melted the bitterness among the leaders and they got some confidence for continuing future parleys. This way the process of dialogue and reconciliation has at least set in motion.
