Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar: Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad today met just-released National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah here and sought a political process which would ensure restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir was converted into a Union Territory in August last year when its special status, granted under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, was abolished.
After meeting Abdullah, who was released yesterday after seven-month detention, Azad addressed the media and asked, “How can such a huge state be called a UT?”
Azad, who has earlier served as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir state, was flanked by Abdullah when he addressed the media outside the National Conference leader’s Gupkar Road residence.
Referring to the release of Abdullah, MP and former Chief Minister of J&K, Azad described it as a matter of great happiness for him.
“I met him after over 7 months. He was detained for all these months. The reason for his detention is not yet known to me,” the Congress leader added.
He went on to add, “Such a punishment is given to criminals but what have he and the other political leaders in detention done?”
Azad said he is representing his party and all the MPs in RS and LS who raised their voice against this detention.
