Srinagar, Jul 9 : National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq on Thursday said invitation letters have been sent to all major political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including those outside the INDIA bloc, to build a consensus on the demand for restoration of statehood.
Dr Farooq Abdullah, the party president, has written to leaders across the political spectrum, MLA Sadiq told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS).
“We hope all of them come and understand that this is a matter of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The promise made by the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and also the Supreme Court must be fulfilled now,” he said.
He said letters have also been sent to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari, and religious leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam.
When asked about Altaf Bukhari’s remarks that “father and son” had different positions on the issue, MLA Sadiq said statehood was a common cause and urged all parties to keep politics aside.
“This is a mission. For a second, for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, keep your politics aside,” he said.
MLA Sadiq also reiterated the demand to revive the July 13 public holiday to commemorate the 1931 martyrs. He said a request has already been sent to the administration in this regard.
“We hope good sense prevails in Lok Bhawan and they understand this is the people’s demand,” he said.
He said a convention has been called on July 13 to pay tributes to the martyrs and send a message that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are united in their demand for statehood.
“We appeal to the people of Delhi that the stamp of Jantar Mantar should come from Parliament on the very first day,” he added. (KNS)
