PM Modi's Kashmir meet LIVE: Meeting ends; leaders call it positive; Cong puts 5 demands

As per sources, five demands were raised by the Congress party. The demands are:-

• Restoration of statehood
• Conduct Assembly Elections in Jammu & Kashmir
• Re-implement domicile laws
• Assist return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley
• Release political prisoners detained in the aftermath of Abrogation of Article 370

PM Modi pointed out in another tweet that the main priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in J&K. He also wrote, "Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and J&K gets an elected Government that gives strength to J&K’s development trajectory."

CPI-M leader Yusuf Tarigami while speaking to the media asserted that while PM Modi listened carefully to all the points put forth by the leaders, and promised to look into them, they did not 'boldly' assure anything to them. 

He further wrote in another tweet, "We are committed to ensuring all-round development of J&K. The future of Jammu and Kashmir was discussed, and the delimitation exercise and peaceful elections are important milestones in restoring statehood as promised in parliament."

Minister of State Jitendra Singh said that the meeting was 'cordial'. Diverting the direction of the leaders present towards the improving situation of Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi, as per Singh, pointed out the need for democracy to reach the grassroots. He added that extensive discussion on delimitation happened, and all political parties agreed to take part in it.

NC leader and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah while addressing the media after the meeting said, "Building trust in Jammu and Kashmir is necessary today."

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Nirmal Singh cited the words of PM Modi after the meeting. He said, "PM pointed out that he wants to take Kashmir on a path visioned by Atal Bihari Vajpayee." 

As per sources, both  PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and NC chief Farooq Abdullah raised the topic of Article 370 but the PM Modi-led government did not comment. 

PDP veteran Muzaffar Beig called it a 'satisfactory' meet. Elaborating on it, he said," We pointed out that Article 370 was to be ended by J&K constitutional assembly although did not demand to reinstate it since It's subjudice, It will be argued in court."

President of Apni Party Altaf Bukhari asserted that PM Modi listened to the pain and issues of Jammu and Kashmir for three and a half hours. He asserted the roadmap discussed is to complete delimitation and thereafter, conduct elections. Listing down the many topics discussed such as Panchayat Raj, development, and empowerment of the Jammu & Kashmir, he added, "PM Modi said, we are committed to statehood, and it will be given in the future". 

Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference Sajjad Gani Lone, talking about the meeting to the media, said that it was 'positive' meeting, where leaders spoke their minds out. He confirmed that the topic of statehood restoration was raised. 

After over 3 hours, the meeting at the 7 LKM has finally concluded. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, prominent leaders of Kashmir like PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad have been seen leaving the PM's residence. 

In his opening remark, PM Modi outlined that there is a need to focus on how smoothly democracy can be restored in Jammu and Kashmir, with a focus on developmental aspects, as part of which, he also talked about the engagement of youngsters of the valley by providing them employment. Moreover, he also talked about the initiative of Skill India. 

As per sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to give the opening remark. Thereafter, presentations are to be made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister of State, Jitendra Singh, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, followed by a speech by each of the guests. The meeting, as per sources, is going on in a well-structured format. 

As per sources, four presentations will be given by four Union Ministers on issues of Jammu and Kashmir during the meeting, which is presently underway at the PM's residence. 

JKPC leaders Sajad Lone and Muzaffar Hussain Baig leave for PM's residence. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti too arrives at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. 

Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ghulam Ahmad Mir and Tara Chand arrive at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg - Prime Minister's official residence

Our expectations are that it should be a good beginning to resolve the issues, concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh. Whatever has been done to us is not within the limits of the Constitution: Yousuf Tarigami, CPI(M) on All-Party Meeting called by PM Narendra Modi

Our rights guaranteed under the provisions of the Constitution of India have been snatched from us. We will demand the GoI and PM to reconsider & restore those rights which have been guaranteed by the Constituent Assembly of India: Yousuf Tarigami, CPI(M)
 

Ajmer Dargah Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin Ali Khan Wednesday called upon all political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir to set aside the issue of Article 370 and work with the Centre for the development of the union territory. Khan said all the political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir should forego their personal agenda and create a conducive atmosphere in the meeting keeping in mind the welfare and development of the UT and its people.

"My request for all the political leaders is to utilise this opportunity to make J&K the most prosperous and developed region of India. I expect all the Kashmiri political leaders to set aside the issue of Article 370 as it is subjudice now and work in coherence with the Government of India for the speedy implementation of the development schemes programmes exclusively crafted for Jammu and Kashmir, which is in the interest of all our Kashmiri brothers and sisters," he said in a statement.

The Election Commission of India held a meeting in two sessions with all 20 Deputy Commissioners of Jammu & Kashmir. EC Meeting was chaired by Deputy Election Commissioner Chandra Bhushan in which Deputy Commissioners took part virtually. Delimitation will pave way for elections to Jammu and Kashmir's Assembly.

“Discussions were held on the delimitation of all 90 Assembly constituencies of Jammu & Kashmir. In the meeting the administrative difficulties faced by the deputy commissioners with respect to the assembly constituencies were discussed,” said an official privy to the development.

During the meeting, Election Commission sought details on the Assembly constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes and the population of SCs and STs. In the first session, the meeting was held with Deputy Commissioners of Jammu, Samba, Rajouri, Poonch, Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam and with Deputy Commissioners of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi, Kathua,  Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag in the second session.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir had 111 seats in total that include 24 reserved for Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir while elections used to happen on 87 seats. Union Territory of J&K was left with 83 seats after the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. However, with the increase of seven seats, J&K UT will have an Assembly of 90 seats.

Marking a first since the abrogation of Article 370, PM Modi has invited top Kashmiri political parties - NC, PDP, Congress, Apni Party, CPM  to come to New Delhi for talks to bolster political activities in the Union Territory. The meeting to held on June 24 at 3 PM, will be chaired by PM Modi and attended by Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha, Home Minister Amit Shah, Home Secretary etc. 14 politicians namely - NC chief Farooq Abdullah, NC vice-prez Omar Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, CPI(M) leader Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Tara Chand, J&K Apni party Syed Altaf Bukhari,  JKPC chief Sajad Lone, Muzaffar Baig, Panthers Party leader Bhim Singh, BJP leaders Ravinder Raina, Kavinder Gupta, and Nirmal Singh are set to attend the meeting.

As a first, J&K L-G Manoj Sinha met with Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday in Delhi to discuss the proposed all-party meeting in Delhi. The L-G has already called most J&K politicians asking for feedback on his government and problems being faced by common Kashmiris on the ground. The L-G also proposed a symbolic Amarnath Yatra in July-August due to the prevailing pandemic situation.  

The meeting comes in the backdrop of speculations about elections and delimitation exercise in J&K which has been extending till 2022. The delimitation commission, led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai is working to increase the number of elected representatives in the UT from 107 to 114. Once the commission submits its report, the Election Commission would conduct the polls.
 

Hours before the all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi commences, the Congress leaders are set to hold their meeting at the residence of Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. As per reports, the meeting at Azad's residence will discuss the Congress party's strategy for the all-party meeting. Congress has already stated that it will push for a complete restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. However, the opposition parties will pitch their strategies and demands after Prime Minister Modi's interaction with them. The meeting at Azad's residence will be attended by Ghulam Ahmad Mir and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Tara Chand.