Meeting Modi: As Ramadan draws near, cold war over ceasefire proposal is only certainty

Srinagar, May 15: There is no consensus between the political parties over meeting the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, with the proposal for unilateral ceasefire in Kashmir Valley during Ramadan and Amarnath pilgrimage.
Following the all-party meeting convened here to discuss the deteriorating situation in Kashmir, the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, had announced the participating mainstream parties’ will to ask New Delhi to consider the ceasefire.
The meeting came after 120 civilians, militants, and security forces personnel were killed in the valley so far this year.
Soon after, PDP’s ruling ally, BJP, opposed the ceasefire proposal, virtually accusing Mehbooba of lying about the outcome of the meeting.
With barely two days left to Ramadan, the political parties are not sure about meeting Modi.
The main opposition party, National Conference, suggested that the ruling coalition partners should first evolve a consensus between themselves.
“The proposal announced by the Chief Minister has been rejected by BJP. The coalition partners shall first evolve a consensus before asking the opposition parties to join in,” senior National Conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani said.
Asked whether the National Conference was ready to be part of the possible delegation, Wani said, “Let the ruling parties decide first. They have no coordination. They shall sort it out amongst themselves first.”
Senior Congress leader, G N Monga, also said that the call was to be taken by the ruling parties.
“It is for the ruling parties to take a decision. Once they have consensus, we too will make our choices,” Monga said.
The PDP’s Chief Spokesperson, Rafi Ahmad Mir, said they want all the parties to be a part of the delegation that would meet with the Prime Minister.
However, he said, the parties were yet to decide.
“National Conference has not decided yet. We are waiting for their response,” Mir said.
The BJP’s Spokesperson, Sunil Sethi, however, reiterated his party’s reservations in supporting the ceasefire proposal.
“There is a serious concern at our end. We are not party to it (the proposal). There was no consensus over it. It was not even put to vote,” he said.