Srinagar, Oct 24 (UNI) Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday met party colleagues from Jammu region to get their input about widening the reach of Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).

Dr Farooq, who heads the PAGD demanding restoration of special status of the Jammu and Kashmir, has invited eight party leaders, including for ministers and legislators-- Surjit Singh Slathia, Ajay Sadhotra, Javed Rana, Rattan Lal Gupta, Tarlochan Singh Wazir, Mushtaq Bukhari and Sajjad Kitchloo-- for the meeting at his Gupkar residence.

The former CM Omar Abdullah said Dr Abdullah has started extensive consultations with colleagues from Jammu about the current political situation and aspirations and concerns of the people of Jammu.

He said NC president has been taking inputs about widening the reach of Surjit Singh Slathia, Ajay Sadhotra, Javed Rana, Rattan Lal Gupta, Tarlochan Singh Wazir, Mushtaq Bukhari and Sajjad Kitchloo.

This is the first meeting of Dr Abdullah with Jammu leaders after he hosted a sitting of six political party leaders, including former CM and president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti after her release from 14 month detention since August 5, 2019 when centre abrogated special status and jailed all mainstream leaders.

Besides deciding to call Gupkar Declaration as PAGD, the leaders pledged that they will continue to fight for restoration of special status of J&K.

However, immediately after the meeting, Dr Abdullah was questioned twice by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Srinagar in connection with J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) scam on October 19 and October 21, when he turned 84.

The signatories of Gupkar Declaration criticized the questioning of Dr Abdullah and said it was nothing but vendetta.

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