SrinagarIn a surprise development, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met opposition National Conference president Farooq Abdullah Tuesday evening amid a debate on an article in the Constitution which grants special privileges to the state.
Mehbooba Mufti drove to the high-security Gupkar Road residence of Abdullah in the evening for the meeting, which was described as “cordial”.
“@MehboobaMufti called on @JKNC_ President this evening to discuss the prevailing political situation in the state. It was a cordial meeting,” National Conference working president Omar Abdullah tweeted.
The 20-minute meeting at his residence comes a day after Dr. Abdullah had warned of a public revolt over revocation of Article 35A.
However, sources in the National Conference said the legal challenge mounted on the validity of Article 35A of the Indian Constitution was the main subject of discussion between the two leaders.
Sources say, there is pressure on chief minister from within PDP to declare revocation of Article 35A as a redline for the ruling PDP-BJP coalition.
Well Protect, Preserve Special Status: Mehbooba
Earlier Chief Minister said the special status enjoyed by the State under the Constitution needs to be protected and preserved.
Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating Randakdaji-Jawalapora-Gaffarabad road here, the Chief Minister said the legislature of the State enjoys huge powers unlike any other State Assembly. She stressed on preserving and protecting this status for which she appealed every section of the society.
Reminding people of recent passage of GST Act by the State Assembly, Mehbooba Mufti said Jammu & Kashmir has enacted its own law in this regard which no other State in the country has. She said the guarantees carried in the said Presidential Order reflect the special status Jammu & Kashmir enjoys within the constitution of India.
The Chief Minister said opening of historic routes along LoC in the State, frequent exchange of students, artists and other groups are the ideas which once worked would bring a lasting peace in the State by promoting more people to people exchanges.
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