New Delhi: The Congress party raised five demands including restoration of full statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, the conduct of Assembly elections, and the return of Kashmiri Pandits during the all-party meeting with the Prime Minister. The Centre's meeting with the state leaders on Thursday was the first one held after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.
While addressing media after the meeting, Congress leader and former Chief Minister of J&K, Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "In today’s meeting, we informed Prime Minister why the State should have not been dissolved. The move was done without consulting elected representatives. But in the end, after saying all this, we have put up five big demands in front of the government. Our first demand was that Statehood should be restored at the earliest."
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He further added, "We had historic domicile rules and rules regarding employment. The government should give a guarantee that they will bring Bills on land and employment." However, Azad said that the party did not demand the restoration of Article 370 in J-K as the matter is sub judice. But he also said that the demand for special land rights and job guarantees for locals will have the same effect. Apart from this, Congress also demanded that efforts must be made to ensure the return of Kashmiri Pandits and their rehabilitation, saying that it is "our moral responsibility." Congress also asked the government to release all social and political prisoners who were detained during the abrogation of Article 370.
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On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a crucial meeting with 14 leaders of various political parties to discuss the future course of action in Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from Azad, J&K Congress Chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir and former deputy CM Tara Chand also attended this meeting on behalf of Congress.
