Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 30: The ruling National Conference sought to downplay the much-publicized meeting between the party’s “annoyed” Lok Sabha member Aga Rahullah Mehdi and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.
The meeting that was held on Wednesday triggered fresh debate in the political circle as Mehdi has openly criticized his own party’s stand on existing reservation rules, statehood, and Article 370.
Senior National Conference leader and chief spokesperson, Tanvir Sadiq, on Thursday, described the recent meeting between Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Member of Parliament Agha Rahullah Mehdi as a significant step toward unity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the media, Sadiq said the meeting was held in a constructive and positive atmosphere, where crucial issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir were discussed. He emphasized the vital role of religious leaders in bridging divides and fostering greate NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq described the meeting between Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and MP Aga Rahullah Mehdi as a significant step toward unity in J&K.
Such engagements contribute immensely in promoting harmony. This development should be welcomed with an open mind.
Mehdi and Mirwaiz belonging to opposite shades of the political spectrum spoke to each other for more than an hour.
The two leaders talked about the Wakf amendment bill and other issues.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir must remain united, and such engagements contribute immensely to promoting harmony. This development should be welcomed with an open mind,” he remarked.
On Wednesday, Ruhullah Mehdi met separatist leader and head of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in Delhi.
Mehdi met the Mirwaiz and discussed issues related to Jammu and Kashmir and the Muslim community in the country.
The sources said the two political leaders, belonging to opposite shades of the political spectrum, had more than an hour long interaction over a wide range of issues including the situation in Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370, restoration of statehood and release of political prisoners.
“The two leaders also talked about the Wakf amendment bill, the plight of Muslims in the country, the situation in Kashmir post August 5, 2019, and other issues,” sources said. | 