In Points: PM Modi to meet J&K leaders today, what to expect and why it’s crucial

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a vital meet with all Jammu and Kashmir political leaders at his Delhi residence. In the meeting, PM will discuss the prevailing situationin J&K and what action should be taken for the future of the Union Territory.

The meeting will begin at 3 pm and is the Modi government’s first major outreach since the scrapping of special status under article 370 in 2019. At least 14 Jammu and Kashmirpolitical leaders from different parties are invited. These leaders include- former chief minister, deputy chief minister and heads of main political parties.

10 points- What to expect

• Jammu and Kashmir have been under President’s rule since 2018 as the ruling BJP-PDP coalition has collapsed after BJP snapped ties with Mehbooba Mufti’s party. Now thegovernment wants o to strengthen the political process in the Union Territory, so the meeting will be aimed at setting on the political process in UT.
• Holding assembly elections in the union territory is one of the main issues that are to be discussed in the meeting. So far the government has indicated the delimitation of constituenciesas the first step towards holding assembly elections.
• 14 leaders from 8 political parties are invited to the meeting. Leaders of the People’s Democratic Party and the National Conference have also been invited. Mehbooba Mufti hasalready arrived in New Delhi. Earlier, she has said that she will raise the issue of restoration of the special status of J&K.

She said that peace can’t be restored without reverting the ‘illegal’ and ‘unconstitutional’ act of revocation of J&K’s special status.

“The agenda of PADG, for which the alliance has been formed, what has been snatched away from us, will talk on that. It was a mistake and it was illegal and unconstitutional. Withoutrestoring the special status, the issues and situation of J&K can not be improved,” she added.

Also Read: Why Sharad Pawar met Prashant Kishor today ahead of PM’s meeting on J&K?

• Congress is also expected to join the meeting. The party has said that talking about the restoration of statehood is its first priority. Representing Congres, Jammu and Kashmir CongressPresident GA Mir and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad will attend the meeting.

However, the party has accused Modi Government of ‘selectively inviting’ political parties.

• The election commission of India held a meeting on Wednesday with 20 deputy commissioners from UT. The main agenda of the meeting was to discuss the delimitation exercise.
• Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also met Ajit Doval who is National Security Adviser, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and top security and intelligence officers.
• As per home ministry officials, terrorism will be at a low after the coronavirus pandemic and that would be the perfect timing to begin the political process in the UT.
• The external factors which are likely to affect the future of Jand K will also be discussed in the meeting.
• Important external factors to be discussed are- withdrawal of the American forces from Afghanistan and the military situation with China in Ladakh.
• A day before, Prime Minister Modi’s meet with political leaders, three militant attacks have occurred in Jammu and Kashmir. In an attack, security forces gunned down a militantin the Shopian district. Where in one attack militants lobbed a grenade at the J&K Police team and CRPF at the main square in Pulwama, in another attack, an unidentified gunman shot dead a civilian in the Habakadal areaof Srinagar city.