Srinagar: For the first time after the all-party meeting held in New Delhi last month, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Sunday held a closed-door meeting at National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah’s residence.
The PAGD meeting came two days ahead of the visit of the members of the Delimitation Commission scheduled from July 6 to Jammu and Kashmir, during which they will interact with District Election Officers and political parties.
The PAGD meeting was attended by National Conference President and Member of Parliament Dr Farooq Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti, CPI (M) senior leader and spokesperson PAGD Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami, NC leader and Member of Parliament Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi and NC vice-president Omar Abdullah at Dr Abdullah’s residence.
The meeting lasted for two hours in which, the PAGD sources said, the amalgamation members discussed several issues including the “aspects that were put forth in the all-party meeting chaired by PM Modi”.
The meeting of the PAGD on Sunday was the first one after 14 leaders from Jammu and Kashmir participated in the all-party meeting held in New Delhi last month.
“We were planning to meet on June 29 but could not due to prior engagements of PAGD vice president Mehbooba Mufti. It was today that we got a chance to discuss our participation in the all-party meeting,” said a PAGD leader.
He said the leaders discussed PM Modi’s all-party meeting and the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The alliance is committed to its core agenda, for which it was formed and we reiterated what we stand for and what we seek,” the leader said.
However, he refused to share further details, saying the alliance’s chief spokesperson will brief the media about the meeting.
When contacted, CPI(M) leader Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami said that the details of the meeting will be shared on Monday.
Another PAGD leader and NC’s Member of Parliament Hasnain Masoodi said the meeting dispelled the “rumours of some differences within the alliance”.
“I can only share that the meeting took place and every member attended it. This should dispel the rumours that were going on. There are no differences within the alliance and everyone is on the same page,” Masoodi said.