As the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are fast approaching, the former separatist leader and People’s Conference Chairman Sajjad Lone met PM Narendra Modi at 7 Race Course Road in New Delhi, on Monday, Nov 10. While talking to media-persons, Sajjad, an important state leader, said that he wants PM to boost tourism and include Srinagar in the smart city concept.
Sajjad also showered praises on Modi by calling him as his ‘big brother’ and said, “PM wants to take development to next level in Jammu and Kashmir.” Lone maintained after the meeting that he had apprised the Prime Minister as a Kashmiri about the difficulties being faced by the people of the Valley due to the September floods.
“I came as a Kashmiri to meet the Prime Minister and I was pleasantly surprised with his down to earth personality, his vision about bringing in investments into the state,” Lone told reporters after a half-an-hour meeting with Modi. However, sources in the know of the developments claimed the meeting discussed the possible scenario post elections and how People’s Conference and BJP can work together. The meeting with Modi comes after Lone, whose brother Bilal is an executive member of separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference, had consultations with BJP leaders including Ram Madhav.
Lone, however, dismissed all speculations saying that his meet with PM Modi was a personal one. “I came to meet the PM as a Kashmiri and was glad to know that he is keen on overall development of Kashmir.” “The PM wants to make the Valley the most beautiful place in the world,” Lone added.
Lone, however, evaded the question whether the meeting was a follow-up of his earlier discussions with BJP leaders including J P Nadda (now Union Health minister) and Madhav. To fulfill the BJP’s “Mission 44”, Sajjad is a part of party’s poll plan in Jammu and Kashmir. In his recent cosying upto the BJP, it may be speculated that the post-poll alliance BJP with the People’s Conference may be on the cards in Jammu and Kashmir. “I don’t adhere to left and right and Congress is not angelic”, he said. Lone had walked out of Kashmir’s main separatist alliance, All Parties Hurriyat Conference, after his father, senior separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone was assassinated by some unidentified gunmen at a rally in Srinagar on May 21, 2002. The BJP is trying to cash in on the fact that Lone harbours a strong anti-Pakistan feeling. Elections in 87-assembly Jammu & Kashmir will take place in five phases on November 25, December 2, December 9, December 14 and December 20. The counting of votes will be take place on December 23.