Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir say Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on July 4 will be “purely government business”. “There would be no political rallies or meetings. Even the MPs and MLAs of the concerned areas have no official communication to be present,” said a BJP leader in Jammu.
“The government is making all arrangements and the Divisional Commissioners are coordinating the tour. The NC and the Congress Ministers would be receiving Mr. Modi at Jammu airport and BJP leaders may not be present at all scheduled functions,” another leader said. However, Khalid Jehangir, journalist-turned-politician who was admitted to the BJP by Mr. Modi on March 26, said he was asked to receive the Prime Minister at Srinagar. NC Kashmir province chief Nasir Aslam Wani, PDP spokesperson Naeem Akhtar, Hurriyat Conference’s top leader Bilal Lone, J&K People’s Conference chairman Sajjad Gani Lone and the separatist Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabir Shah said their parties had not been informed of the visit.