Srinagar, Oct 10: With mainstream politicians in Kashmir getting sidelined in the aftermath of the unrest in the Valley, National Conference, President, Dr Farooq Abdullah today chaired party’s core group meeting to take stock of the situation in the Valley and instruct party members to try and reach out to people. The meeting followed the recent remarks by the chief minister Omar Abdullah in the state Legislature that Kashmir was an international issue and had only acceded to India.
  Sources said the meeting which took place at the Gupkar residence of Dr Farooq, who is also Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy resources, lasted for more than two hours and was attended by Omar and senior party leaders including Ali Muhammad Sagar and two provincial presidents.
 “Dr Sahab was very clear that the party leaders both at the higher and lower rung should try to activate the support base at the ground level and reach out to people,” said a senior member who was part of the meeting.
 The meeting, he said also took stock of the present situation which has almost shrunk the space for mainstream politics in Kashmir following killing of more than 100 Kashmiris in police and CRPF action.
 “Obviously it is a big challenge for any mainstream politician in present conditions to move out and try to win confidence of people,” he opined.
 With situation remaining “under control” for the past few weeks, he said, the party was hoping that “normalcy” would be restored soon. “It could provide a chance for us to reach out to people,” he said.
 Sources said the Chief Minister also spoke in the meeting particularly about the prevailing situation and steps needed to be taken to help the government to ensure peace returns to the Valley.
 “There was no discussion on CM’s remark because National Conference believes that Kashmir is an International issue,” sources said.
 Dr Farooq has called an emergency meeting of all the legislators, district and block presidents, of Kashmir province on Monday.
 Though the agenda for the meeting which would take place at the party headquarter, Nawai-Subah here, was not clear, it is expected that the party president would pass on directions to leaders and party activists to start re-activating the party at the ground level.
 The government of India, sources said, had been in favor of early Panchayat polls in the state to strengthen the administrative system. “We can’t afford to sit back. Initiatives have to be taken to reach out to people,” they said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 10 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:00:00 IST