Sheikh Sameer
SRINAGAR, Oct 02: Opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to gather in Jammu on Tuesday to address various pressing matters, including the postponement of local body and panchayat elections in the region. They will also delve into seat-sharing discussions for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections for the INDIA bloc.
The meeting will encompass a comprehensive analysis of the prevailing situation not only in Jammu and Kashmir but also across the entire country, taking into account the divisive policies being implemented by the present dispensation.
The meeting, chaired by National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, will convene at Hotel Radisson in Jammu at 2 pm tomorrow.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah commented on the agenda of the meeting, stating, “The meeting will discuss the issue of deferring local body and panchayat polls, as reported by several news outlets in Jammu and Kashmir. We will also explore seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls for the INDIA bloc, along with various other topics, including the current situation in J&K and throughout the country.”
He further mentioned that a detailed discussion would take place concerning the launch of a mass movement against the postponement of local body and panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Regarding the absence of three parties – Apni Party, People’s Conference, and Ghulam Nabi Azad’s party – from the meeting, Dr. Farooq Abdullah explained that they had invited these parties to a previous all-party opposition meeting, but they declined the invitation. He stated, “Had we invited them for this meeting, they would have declined once again, as they are under the influence of BJP and closely aligned with the present dispensation.”
He emphasized that this meeting was called in opposition to BJP and its divisive policies implemented throughout the country. The leaders will stand up against such policies and engage with grassroots-level outreach.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah affirmed that their doors are always open to any party, and if any party wishes to join them, they are welcome.
The meeting will be attended by Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti, CPI(M) senior leader M. Y. Tarigami, and other senior leaders from Kashmir, as well as several other parties from the Jammu region.
Following the meeting on the day after tomorrow, the leaders will convene with civil society representatives in Jammu to discuss a range of social and political issues.
