Kashmiri parties agree to cooperate with Delimitation Commission: Report

New Delhi: Following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an initiative for handing over governance to the people of the state, the Kashmiri political parties have reportedly agreed to cooperate with the Delimitation Commission that is expected to reach the Valley next week to hold discussions with different political parties on the delimitation.

The National Conference led by the former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah that raised objections to the Central government-suggested delimitation process is also reportedly participating in the discussion, according to a report published in The Indian Express.

The redrawing of boundaries of Assembly seats will be done after reaching a consensus among various stakeholders by the Commission.

Sajad Lone, the chief of the People's Conference, is reported to have suggested that the delimitation should not only be confined to Kashmir and Jammu regions but also within the regions. He said his party has no objection to cooperating with the Commission if the process could ensure fairness and transparency.

Lone also called on Kashmiri leaders that it is up to them to make sure that Delhi delivers what it has offered to bring in an amicable atmosphere for the elections in the Valley. Meanwhile, the PDP said it would respond to the Commission's invitation after an internal discussion.

The state Congress has also sent a green signal to the delimitation as long as the process goes in a fair and transparent manner. State unit chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir said that besides BJP, all parties from the Valley demanded the restoration of the statehood before the delimitation. But Home Minister Amit Shah insisted on the process of delimitation being a pre-requisite to the Assembly elections and statehood.

In a communique issued on Wednesday, the Commission stated the decision was taken after a meeting chaired by Justice (retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai and attended by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra.