PM backs delimitation exercise, grassroots democracy in J&K First outreach meeting with political leaders held in a cordial atmosphere Special Correspondent NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his govern- ment’s commitment to fos- tering grassroots democracy in Jammu and Kashmir dur- ing his meeting with 14 lead- ers of eight mainstream pol- itical parties even as he sought their cooperation in first completing the delimita- tion exercise for Assembly seats in the Union Territory, which would eventually lead to elections. He said this at the first out- reach meeting between the Union government and mainstream political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir — a meeting, which by all ac- One step at a time: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting Jammu and Kashmir leaders in counts, was held in a cordial Delhi on Thursday. Also present were Home Minister Amit Shah and J&K L-G Manoj Sinha. * PTI atmosphere. Both Mr. Modi and Home issue of special status to Jam- Minister Amit Shah reiterat- mu and Kashmir, which was ed their previous public removed by the reading commitments to restoring down of Article 370, was also statehood, government raised but many parties sources said. spoke of it as a legal fight as The sources said in his ad- the matter is being heard in dress, Mr. Modi said, “Dilli ki the Supreme Court. doori kam honi chahiye aur After the meeting, Mr. Mo- dil ki doori bhi” (The dis- di indicated that it was the tance from Delhi — the seat first of such outreach efforts, of central power — and the tweeting: “Today’s meeting distance between hearts ... is an important step in the should both be reduced) to ongoing efforts towards a de- convey the spirit in which veloped and progressive the meeting was called. Jammu and Kashmir.” While every party spoke about the restoration of CONTINUED ON A PAGE 8 statehood, the contentious CONG. RAISES 5 DEMANDS A PAGE 9 PM backs delimitation exercise in J&K He added that “delimitation BJP leader Kavinder Gup- has to happen at a quick ta said that any thought of pace so that polls can hap- restoring Article 370 should pen and J&K gets an elected not even be considered. government that gives “Elections will be held after strength to its development the delimitation process, trajectory.” and an Assembly constitut- “The biggest strength of ed once again. The process our democracy is the ability will come into effect about to sit across a table and ex- which people are hoping change views,” he said. that they’ll get representa- Government sources said tion. Article 370 has been Prime Minister Modi abrogated. It should not thanked all the participating even be thought that it will leaders for making it to Del- ever come back,” he said. hi for the meeting and asked Union Home Minister that they “express their Amit Shah, who was present views frankly.” at the meeting, said the “de- National Conference limitation exercise and leader Omar Abdullah, in a peaceful elections are im- presser after the meeting portant milestones in res- said, “We told the Prime Mi- toring statehood as pro- nister that we don’t stand mised in Parliament”, with what was done on Au- making it clear that Assemb- gust 5, 2019. We are not rea- ly polls had to be a precur- dy to accept it. But we won’t sor to any talk of restoring take law into our hands. statehood. Some political We’ll fight this in court. We parties however did stress also told the Prime Minister that statehood should be that there’s been a breach of restored before polls can be trust between the state and held. Centre. It is the Centre’s du- Minister of State for the ty to restore it.” Prime Minister’s Office Congress leader Ghulam (PMO), Dr. Jitendra Singh, in Nabi Azad said “almost 80% an official statement after of parties spoke on Article the meeting, said the next 370 but the matter is sub step in strengthening de- judice.” Both Mr. Azad and mocracy in J&K would be Mr. Abdullah stressed on swiftly completing the de- restoration of statehood and limitation process so that reversal of many executive the Assembly polls could be and legal changes related to held, and that the Prime Mi- land rights protection and nister stressed the need for restoration of a Jammu and “constructive engagement” Kashmir cadre in bureaucra- of all political parties with cy. the delimitation process. Ms. Mufti’s take was so- Among those who attended mewhat different, when she the meeting were four form- spoke after the meeting. er Chief Ministers of Jammu “The people of Jammu and and Kashmir — Farooq and Kashmir are in a lot of diffi- Omar Abdullah of the Na- culties after August 5, 2019. tional Conference, Ghulam They are angry, upset and Nabi Azad of the Congress, emotionally shattered. They and Mehbooba Mufti of the feel humiliated. I told the PDP. People’s Conference Prime Minister that the peo- leaders Muzzaffar Baig and ple of J&K don’t accept the Sajjad Lone also attended as manner in which Article 370 did Kavinder Gupta and Ra- was abrogated unconstitu- vinder Raina of the BJP and tionally, illegally and immo- Bheem Singh of the Panth- rally,” she said. ers Party..