NEW DELHI: The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, arrived herJan. 13th from New Delhi and again left for the Union Capital, after meeting the state governor, Gen (retd) K.V. Krishna Rao, at Raj Bhavan.
Dr. Abdullah, who is also the president of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, held closed-door meeting with the governor for about an hour and a half.
Later, Dr. Abdullah, who was accompanied by party general secretary, Mr. Bashir Ahmed Kitchloo, flew back to New Delhi, the sources said.
Observers said the two may have discussed the matters pertaining to elections in Jammu and Kashmir, in view of the Supreme Court’s direction to Election Commission and the central government to sort out the issue of holding elections in the state in two-week time, ‘The Panthers Party chief, Mr. Bhim Singh, urged the Prime Minister, Mr,P.V. Narasimha Rao, to convene ‘an all-party meeting immediately, to work out a broad consensus for ensuring a free and fair election in Jammu and Kashmir. He appealed to all political parties, including the Hurriyat Conference, to take part in the democratic process.
Mr, Singh demanded a one day poll by the end of March so that the “foreign mercenaries” do not get a chance to strike “at the instance of Pakistan,” as majority of the militants were controlled by people from across the border.
Mr, Singh said that to ensure a favorable atmosphere for holding of polls in the state, all political prisoners should be released as a gesture of good will. Besides, all assistance should be extended for the early return of migrants, to enable them participate in the elections.
He, however, accused the governor, Gen Krishna Rao, of creating hurdles for the migrants and urged the Prime Minister to respond to the call of the local people to replace him by a politically thinking person.
Elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly are likely to be held before the proposed Lok Sabha elections, the state unit chief of Congress, Mr, Ghulam Rasool Kar said.
Talking to reporters here, Kar said indications are that the state polls would be held before the Lok Sabha elections.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 17, 1996
