New Delhi: National Conference president and Union Minister Omar Abdullah on July 17
welcomed the decision of the Centre to initiate dialogue on the issue of devolution
of greater powers to Jammu and Kashmir saying it was a "right step in the right
direction".
"Appointment of Arun Jaitley (as Centre's interlocutor to hold discussions on
autonomy) is a right step in the right direction because it will increase the
confidence of some of the groups who want to return to the national mainstream," Omar
said.
After all, if the Centre could think of holding parleys with separatist groups like
Shabir Shah and Hurriyat Conference "then why shy away from the demand of National
Conference, which is very much within the frame work of the Constitution of the
country", Omar, who took over the party reins on June 23, said.
He hoped the talks between the state and the Centre would begin soon so that
something tangible was achieved. "Our party was elected with an absolute majority
only on autonomy plank and I will personally monitor the progress of the talks," he
added.
PTI
