People's Democracy

JAMMU & KASHMIR

CPI(M) Castigates Centre’s Move

MEETING on July 19 and 20, the Jammu & Kashmir state organising committee of the CPI(M) castigated as "unacceptable and meaningless" the move to send one of the BJP general secretaries, Arun Jaitley, for talks on devolution of powers to the state. This way the issue of autonomy is once again being bypassed, the CPI(M) said.

The meeting, attended by Polit Bureau member Prakash Karat too, discussed the prospects for the forthcoming assembly polls. It made a scathing criticism of the central government for refusing to make autonomy the basis for negotiating a political settlement on Kashmir. While working out a preliminary plan for participation in elections which has been sent to the Central Committee for approval, the committee opposed to the use of article 356 for imposing governor’s rule. Yet it said it had little faith in the Farooq Abdullah government, and opined that it was imperative for the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polls. (INN)