CM Mehbooba Mufti says Idea of India has to accommodate idea of Jammu & Kashmir

After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that Idea of India has to accommodate idea of the state.

"The basis of our agenda of alliance is that status quo of 370 has to maintained none of us can go against that. Discussions on 35A have a negative impact on Jammu and Kashmir, it should not happen," said Mufti.

Mufti said that PM gave hundred per cent assurance on the agenda of alliance.

"Spoke to PM; situation normalising but people think our identity can be in danger so message that J&K is crown of India should be reiterated," said J&K CM.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday amid reports that she was seeking help against attempts to alter Constitutional provisions that give special status to the state.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of the debate on Article 35A of the Constitution that grants special status to the state and is being challenged in the Supreme Court.

Officials in the home ministry had said yesterday that its law officers would be presenting legal aspects related to Article 35A only and would refrain from joining the case.

Mehbooba is keen to build consensus against scrapping the Constitutional provision, which empowers the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define the state’s “permanent residents” and their special rights and privileges, sources said.

Mehbooba had met opposition National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah this week to seek the support of his party on the issue.

Also read: What is Article 35A and why it is important for Jammu and Kashmir