Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): Major political parties in Jammu and Kashmir today forged a new alliance- ‘Peoples alliance for Gupkar declaration’- for the restoration of J&K’s statehood and its special status under Article 370.
The alliance was floated after a two-hour long meeting of the signatories of Gupkar declaration at the residence of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah here.
At the culmination of the meeting, Farooq, who was flanked by PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister and his son Omar Abdullah, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone and others, told media: “All the signatories of the Gupkar declaration have decided to forge an alliance to fight for the restoration of special status.”
“Our motive is to fight for the restoration of August 04, 2019 position. The alliance will fight for the rights that were snatched last year from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh,” he said.
Abdullah also said that steps should also be taken for resolution on Kashmir issue.
“We also want that the steps be taken for the resolution of Kashmir issue and all the stakeholders should be taken on board in this regard,” he said.
The veteran politician further said that the next meeting of the signatories will be held in coming days to decide on future course of action.
Among others, CPI (M) state secretary MY Tarigami, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement president Javaid Mustafa Mir and Awami National Conference vice-President Muzaffar Shah participated in the meeting.
Pertinently, all the signatories of Gupkar declaration, barring J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Ghulam Ahmad Mir, participated in the meeting.
Mir could not attend the meeting due to some medical emergencies and had already conveyed Farooq Abdullah about his inability to attend the meeting, sources said.
This is the second time in Jammu & Kashmir since 1947 when such a large number of political groups have joined hands over an issue. In 1987, several political parties had formed “Muslim United Front” to take on NC-Congress combine.
More importantly, after remaining as arch-rivals for years, the NC and the PDP have become come together to pursue the same goal- of seeking restoration of Article 370 that provided special status to the erstwhile state of J&K, now a UT.
-ARK
