After a long struggle of getting permission to meet Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, a National Conference delegation comprising of 15 members met the leaders at Hari Nivas in Srinagar on Sunday. Molly Abdullah, wife of Farooq Abdullah was also present in the meeting.
National Conference delegation meets Farooq Abdullah at his residence in Srinagar.
(Photo: ANI) pic.twitter.com/mHvMrk9Bj7
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 6, 2019
Both the leaders have been kept under detention owing to the enforcement of Public Safety Act in the backdrop of the abrogation of Article 370. The delegation was led by Jammu’s provincial chief of the party Davinder Singh Rana.
It’s the first time after the repeal of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir that Omar Abdullah was seen in public. The meeting was kept in the line of planning for the party’s activities for the forthcoming Block Development Council elections. The elections for BDC are slated to be held on October 24.
Davinder Singh Rana further said that the party is very happy to see its leaders in high spirits.
Devender Rana,National Conference after meeting Farooq and Omar Abdullah: We are happy that they are both well and in high spirits, of course they are pained by the developments in the state. If the political process has to start then mainstream leaders have to be released. pic.twitter.com/KC9PLeneLD
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2019
Speaking to the reports of India Today, Davinder Rana said, “There is anguish about developments particularly about lockdown of the people and we, as a party, appeal that the political process to start and democracy to revive in Jammu and Kashmir political detenues anywhere and everywhere, whether from mainstream political parties or otherwise who have no criminal record, may be released to initiate the process and the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are won.”
Dalvinder Randa further said that if the elections to Block Development Council has to begin, then these members have to be released. He said, “In case of NC, even if we want to contest the BDC elections, the 380 panchayats that exist, the mandate has to be signed by the party president who has been unfortunately detained under the PSA.”
Previously National Conference leaders had sought permission from Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik to allow them to meet their leaders. The party leaders had also expressed their disappointment over the prolonged detention of the senior leader.
Following the steps of National Congress leaders, it has been reported that now PDP (People’s Democratic Party) had also sought permission to meet their leader Mehbooba Mufti who is also detained under the PSA.