Congress to participate in August 7 opposition meet in Jammu

Srinagar, July 27: Following the Apni Party's acceptance of an invitation to join the opposition meeting, the Congress party on Saturday also decided to participate in the meeting on August 07.

Confirming the development, J&K Congress chief Vikar Rasool Wani told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that they have received an invitation for the meeting which is scheduled to be held in Jammu on August 7.

Wani said that the party will participate in the meeting for the larger interest of Jammu & Kashmir.

He said it is our prime demand to restore Statehood which was taken away on August 05, 2019 by New Delhi unilaterally. “Statehood is the main concern for us. Other issues have little importance like disempowering the chair of CM. BJP abrogated Article 370 and 35(A) without taking people of J&K on board, and snatched our Statehood & downgraded our region into two Union Territories (UTs). Also people of J&K are without their elected representatives from last eight years. We reiterate that elections should be held without any delay,” he said.

Similarly leaders of other political parties including Dr. Farooq Abdullah (NC), Mehbooba Mufti (PDP), Congress, CPI(M), Sajad Lone (PC), Muzaffar Shah (ANC) and others have also received invitation from organizers of the meeting.

Sources informed KNS that leaders have expressed their willingness to participate in the meeting for the larger interest of Jammu & Kashmir.

On Friday J&K Apni Party led by former minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also received the invitation and confirmed their willingness to take part in the said meeting.

AP’s senior vice-president Ghulam Hassan Mir had said that his party has received an invitation and they will participate in the meeting.

Sources clarified that the said meeting has nothing to do with PAGD and is purely an opposition meeting where issues pertaining to J&K and its people will be discussed threadbare.