Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone on Wednesday said he is ready to join hands with “others” to protect special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I will unconditionally support collective efforts forprotecting special status of J&K. I am ready to go to anyone and anywherefor supporting the collective efforts,” Lone responded to a question whether hesupports former PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s suggestion of convening an all-partymeeting to discuss strategy for protecting Article 35A.
He was speaking to media after senior Congress leaderMuzaffar Parray joined Peoples Conference, at a function here.
Lone said National Conference should intensify its effortsto protect Article 35A and other constitutional provisions which accord uniqueidentity to J&K.
“They (NC) are not raising the issue with same intensity asthey did during the campaign for Parliament elections. They seem moreapologetic. National Conference is a bigger party and they should intensifytheir efforts (to protect Article 35A) within and outside the Parliament,” hesaid.
Lone also disclosed that he met the PDP chief to offer hissupport for protection of the Article 35A. The meeting had taken place a dayafter Mehbooba called Lone and senior PC leader Imran Reza Ansari on Monday todiscuss prevailing situation in the state.
Meanwhile, welcoming Parray into the party fold, Lone said:”Our ideology isn’t sellable. We are here for the welfare of public and we wantthem to enjoy their democratic rights they have been deprived off because ofthe neglect from parties who were in power for last so many decades”.
On the occasion Lone also welcomed several former PDPmembers in the party fold.