Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday hosted a ‘high tea’ party at the Raj Bhavan here for leaders of political parties and barring PDP president Mehbooba Mufti all invitees turned up for the meeting for which invitations were sent only this morning.
Sinha invited heads of various political parties for a meeting to discuss the prevailing situation including the Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin Thursday, officials said.
The political leaders who participated in the meeting included National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, CPI (M) leader M Y Tarigami, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Muzzafar Shah, Altaf Bukhari (JKAP chief), GA Mir (Congress J&K president), Ravinder Raina (J&K BJP chief) , Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and GM Shaheen.
“The Lt Governor observed that sacred pilgrimage strengthens our faith in the goodness of mankind and its successful conduct is responsibility of every citizen of J&,” an official spokesperson said in a statement to GNS.
“Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a reflection of our composite culture and people belonging to all the faiths are contributing to make it successful”, the Lt Governor said.
All the senior leaders in the meeting speaking in one voice observed that the pilgrimage was like a “big festival, a celebration of Kashmiriyat for common man of J&K and each & every citizen of J&K will ensure warm hospitality & comfort of the pilgrims”, the spokesperson said.
“The senior leaders appealed to the people for their continuous support and assistance in the conduct of the Yatra, which is pride of Jammu Kashmir and reflection of unity in diversity,” he said, adding, “The senior leaders also observed that Yatra is a vital part of J&K’s economy and livelihood source for a large number of local people.”
The Lt Governor also apprised the meeting about the arrangements put in place for pilgrimage besides special places identified at all Yatra Camps for selling local products, including famous art and handicrafts of Jammu Kashmir, he said.
“All the senior leaders of prominent political parties of J&K put forth their views and suggestions for the smooth and successful conduct of Yatra.”
The Lt Governor said a similar meeting would be held after 10 days of Yatra.
Meanwhile a spokesperson of the PDP said it was strange that the office of the Lt Governor was inviting leaders for a high tea meeting at such a sensitive time.
“If there were something to be discussed, an agenda should have been set for the meeting,” PDP chief spokesperson Suhail Bukhari said.
Earlier, reacting to the invitation, he tweeted, “For a meeting in the evening that is supposed to be a serious affair, the invitation is sent in the morning. What a mockery! By the way what happened to the outcome of the all parties meeting chaired by @PMOIndia in which @OfficeOfLGJandK and @HMOIndia was also present?”
He also said it was “ironic” that the security apparatus denied Mehbooba permission to visit her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s grave in Anantnag district on the same day when the government was inviting her for the meeting.(GNS)
