On his return to Srinagar after a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, National Conference chief Dr. Farooq Abdullah has convened an all-party meeting on Saturday at his Gupkar residence amidst protests against the J&K administration hiring a tainted firm to conduct examination for various government posts and also the move to impose property tax in the union territory.
On the other hand, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for a shutdown in Jammu against the government’s move to impose property tax.
Sources said that Abdullah has invited all political parties, except the BJP, for the meeting at 3 pm to discuss the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir where disconnect between the public and administration is growing with each passing day.
However, it is to be seen whether the Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone and Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari, who are considered friendly towards BJP, will accept Abdullah’s invitation after having skipped a meeting called by him earlier in August last year. It will also be interesting to watch the moves of Ghulam Nabi Azad, who quit Congress and has floated his own Democratic Progressive Azad Party.
Former chief minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, Congress chief Vikar Rasool Wani, CPM leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and certain leaders of Jammu based political parties are expected to participate in the meeting.
Meanwhile, the transporters have announced to disassociate from tomorrow’s Jammu bandh. Arun Gupta, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the people of Jammu are much disturbed due to the non-cooperative attitude of the government and instead of giving any relief to the people the government has imposed property tax which actually is the prerogative of an elected government, municipal corporation and local bodies.
He said that the shutdown will be peaceful and to persuade the government to rescind the order imposing property tax.