In 1st meet in a year, PDP accuses government of duplicity on talks

Srinagar: The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which convened its first party meeting on Wednesday in Srinagar after over a year, termed New Delhi’s approach towards J&K as “brazen, criminal and contrarian” in comparison to its dealings with the Taliban, China and the North Eastern states.

The meeting took place in the absence of party chief Mehbooba Mufti, who continues to remain in detention under the Public Safety Act at her residence on Gupkar Road. The meeting was called by the party’s youth wing after they sought permission from the administration. Senior party leaders Abdul Rehman Veeri and Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura also attended the meeting.

PDP youth leader Wahid Para said they cannot afford to remain silent any longer and need to speak out to restore the dignity of the people of J&K and take charge of their own destiny. On September 3, the party had requested permission to hold a meeting but was not allowed. “This is our first meeting after 13 months. We condemn the government of India’s brazen and criminal duplicity, while dealing with J&K,” PDP spokesperson Suhail Bukhari said.


The PDP leader said New Delhi is part of the talks with the Taliban and “they want to reconcile with China, but for J&K its approach is different”.