Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding an all-party meeting to discuss the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the future course of action for the union territory. Fourteen political leaders from J&K are attending this meeting at the prime minister’s residence. This is the first such political exercise since August 5, 2019 when the Centre decided to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution that gave Jammu and Kashmir special status.

Explained: What are the demands of the Gupkar Alliance

The Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration is a six-party alliance of mainstream parties which came into existence after the Centre revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 in August 2019. The alliance includes the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party. Here is a brief explainer on what the alliance demands for J&K.

4 former J&K chief ministers attending meeting with PM Modi

Four former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir are participating in the all-party meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These are:

1) Farooq Abdullah
2) Omar Abdullah
3) Mehbooba Mufti
4) Ghulam Nabi Azad.

First visuals from PM Modi’s all-party meet on J&K

The crucial all-party meeting on Jammu and Kashmir has started at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi. Here are the first images from the meeting where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met and greeted the political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir.

• What was the need to snatch J&K’s statehood: Mamata asks Centre

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has hit out at the central government and asked what was the need to “snatch away” Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

“If you take away people’s azadi (freedom), then all is lost. This was of no use for the nation. The country’s name has been tarnished due to such autocracy,” Mamata Banerjee said.

All-party meeting on Jammu and Kashmir begins at PM Modi’s residence

The meeting at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg has begun.

PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah, Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad and other leaders of Jammu and Kashmir are in attendance. 

BJP leader Jitendra Singh to deliver welcome address, PM Modi to make opening speech

The all-party meeting at PM Modi’s official residence will begin shortly.

According to sources, BJP leader Jitendra Singh will deliver a brief welcome address. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will then make the opening speech.

This will be followed by Farooq Abdullah’s opening remarks.

J&K Apni Party present Altaf Bukhari reaches for the meeting

Security on high alert in Kashmir ahead of all-party meeting

Ahead of PM Modi’s meeting with Kashmiri political leaders, security forces in Kashmir are on high alert.

Security forces have been deployed at all exit points in the division. Every vehicle coming into and going out of the division is being thoroughly checked.

BJP J&K leaders, Amit Shah reach PM’s residence for all-party meet

BJP Jammu and Kashmir leaders including Ravinder Raina and Nirmal Singh as well as Union home minister Amit Shah have reached Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence on Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, for the all-party meeting.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and BJP leader Jitendra Singh have also reached.

Meanwhile, Mehbooba Mufti has left from Jammu and Kashmir House in Delhi for the meeting. Omar Abdullah is also on his way.

What was done to us was unconstitutional, says CPI(M) leader Tarigami

Ahead of the all-party meet called by PM Modi, CPI(M) leader and PAGD spokesperson Yousuf Tarigami said, “Our expectations are that it should be a good beginning to resolve the issues and concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh. What was done to us was not within the limits of the Constitution.”

He went on to say, “Our rights guaranteed under the provisions of the Constitution of India have been snatched from us. We will demandthat the Centre reconsider and restore those rights to us.”

Omar Abdullah reaches Farooq Abdullah’s residence

PAGD to demand restoration of Article 370 and 35A, immediate elections

According to sources, Kashmiri political leaders of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) will demand restoration of Article 370 and 35A at the meeting with PM Modi today. They will also demand restoration of statehood and immediate elections.

Among Mehbooba Mufti’s demands are release of prisoners, confidence-building measures and dialogue with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, J&K BJP is demanding the return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir.

We are going to raise the state issue, says J&K Congress President Ghulam Mir

Jammu and Kashmir Congress President Ghulam Ahmad Mir stated, “We are going to raise the state issue.”

“People in the state are shocked after the developments in 2019. We’ll wait for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agenda for today’s meeting and respond accordingly,” he said.

The Congress leaders have left from Ghulam Nabi Azad’s residence.

J&K L-G Manoj Sinha reaches PM Modi’s residence

Ikkjutt Jammu to stage protests against Centre for ‘ignoring Jammu-based groups’

Jammu-based political party Ikkjutt Jammu (United Jammu) is planning to stage protests against the Modi-led central government for inviting the Gupkar parties for the meeting but allegedly ignoring Jammu-based groups.

Home Minister Amit Shah reaches PM Modi’s residence in New Delhi

Congress leaders huddle at Ghulam Nabi Azad’s house ahead of all-party meet

Ahead of the all-party meet, Congress leaders including former deputy CM of Jammu and Kashmir Tara Chand and J&K Congress president Ghulam Ahmad Mir have gathered at Ghulam Nabi Azad’s house to discuss.

Farooq Abdullah leaves Srinagar for Delhi to attend all-party meet

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah left his residence in Srinagar to participate in the all-party meeting called by PM Narendra Modi on Thursday in New Delhi.