End of speculation that Modi convened a meeting to give statehood to Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi, Dt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has convened an all-party meeting of political parties in Jammu and Kashmir on June 9. With the invitation of 15 party leaders from Jammu and Kashmir for the meeting, there was speculation that Jammu and Kashmir would be given state status again. However, it is now clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting is on the issue of demarcation of Jammu and Kashmir. These reports have put an end to speculation that Jammu and Kashmir should be given state status. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, on the other hand, are still discussing whether to attend the meeting.

The central government will need parliamentary approval to grant statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. However, the government has promised that Jammu and Kashmir will be given state status in due course, but that time has not yet come. At the same time, sources said that the meeting was an attempt by the Center to give political recognition to the administrative exercise launched in the first week of June. Sources said that even if there was a discussion on giving back the status of state to Jammu and Kashmir, there was no possibility of giving back the special status given to it earlier under Article 50 of the Constitution.

The central government is ready to start the process of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Assembly elections can take place only after the demarcation process is completed, in which the boundaries of the Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies will be redefined. In order to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible, demarcation work needs to be completed as soon as possible. The commission has sought basic information from all the district commissioners. The boundaries of assembly constituencies in the state will now be decided on the basis of the recommendation of the Assembly Election Delimitation Commission. The commission was formed last year and its term was extended by one year.

Meanwhile, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday convened a meeting of the PAC, the party's largest decision-making body, to attend a meeting of all parties in Jammu and Kashmir convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 9. On the other hand, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah has also started discussions with senior party leaders about attending the PM's meeting. After discussions with party leaders, discussions will be held with Gupkar group leaders and then a decision will be taken by consensus, Farooq Abdullah said.

Meanwhile, while not responding to PM Modi's presence at the meeting, the Congress demanded that Jammu and Kashmir be restored to its former state status and Article 30 re-enacted. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewale said that in the interest of the Constitution and democracy, the Center should accept the demand to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.