Srinagar: In the first major political development post withdrawal of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, a National Conference (NC) delegation was allowed to meet detained leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah on Sunday.
The J&K administration also allowed a delegation of People's Democratic Party (PDP) to meet its party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday.
Mehbooba Mufti, the Abdullahs and several other prominent political leaders in the Valley were placed under detention just before scrapping Article 370 and bifurcating the state into two union territories.
The 15 member NC delegation, which met Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, discussed developments in the state and upcoming local body polls during the separate meetings with the two leaders.
The delegation led by Jammu's provincial chief of the party Davinder Singh Rana met former chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Hari Nivas for little over 30 minutes.
This was the first meeting of Omar with a party delegation after he was detained on August 5.
Omar, who was sporting a beard, was seen clicking a selfie with party leaders.
The delegation then drove to Farooq Abdullah's residence.
Emerging after the meeting, Rana told reporters that for any political process to begin, the leaders of the party need to be released.
There is "anguish about developments particularly about lockdown of the people and we, as a party, appeal that the political process to start and democracy to revive in Jammu and Kashmir political detenues anywhere and everywhere, whether from mainstream political parties or otherwise who have no criminal record, may be released to initiate the process and the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are won," he said.
He said the party, which has a legacy, history and a chequered track record, was of unanimous view that it would continue to strive for the welfare of the people and shall continue to work for communal harmony, brotherhood, togetherness and keep the secular fabric of the state shining.
On a question about the party's participation in block development committee elections, he said, "See there is a complete lockdown. If the political process has to start then these members have to be released.
We are happy they are both well and in high spirits. Of course, they are pained and anguished about developments, particularly lockdown of the people," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
