Omar appeals to PDP to attend all-party meet

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made a fresh appeal to the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party to attend the all party meet on Monday to discuss the present situation in the Kashmir valley.

According to PDP sources, the CM wrote to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti that he was pained to hear about the decision of her party and renewed his request for joining the meet on Monday. "We are on the crossroads of a crucial phase in Kashmir and its time for all of us to join hands and work together to pave the way forward irrespective of our political beliefs. Let us all come together to do a comprehensive analysis of the situation and jointly lay a road map for a better tomorrow for our people," the chief minister was quoted as saying in the letter to Mufti.

He said the decision of not joining the deliberations on Monday was "unfortunate and painful." "I am writing to you to reiterate once again my request to your party to join the deliberations of the All-Party Meet. I will be personally grateful if you kindly reconsider your decision and participate in the deliberations. This participation of yours will help us to evolve a detailed all inclusive agenda for the future," Omar said in the letter.

The PDP had stated that it did not see any merit in attending the meet. The invitation was extended to all 12 recognised political parties and groups. These include National Conference, Indian National Congress, PDP, Bharatiya Janata Party, Panthers Party, Communist Party of India-Marxist, CPI, Peoples Democratic Forum, Democratic Party (Nationalist), Bahujan Samaj Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Nationalist Congress Party.