Jammu and Kashmir to become state again at right time: PM

Srinagar : PM Narendra Modi on Thursday met leaders from Jammu and Kashmir and assured his commitment to restore full statehood to the Union Territory at the right time.

In three-hour long meeting, Prime Minister spoke to 14 mainstream leaders from eight political parties, including Chief Ministers. The meeting was aimed at bringing the political process in the UT back on track.

The Central government had cancelled special status for Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 in 2019, dividing it into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

PM Modi said that the statehood will be restored at a right time till then all the leaders should come together to enable the elections as soon as possible. Elections can happen soon after delimitation, it was said, and "most participants expressed willingness for it", said sources.

"The main focus of the meeting was to strengthen the democratic process. PM said that we are fully committed to the democratic process in J&K. He stressed that the holding assembly elections just like the successful District Development Council elections is a priority," government sources said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while announcing the colossal move in parliament, had said that full statehood would be "restored at an appropriate time". After today's meeting, Mr Shah tweeted: "The future of Jammu and Kashmir was discussed and the delimitation exercise and peaceful elections are important milestones in restoring statehood as promised in parliament."