Cong meets interlocutor, asks whether his visit is to influence upcoming polls

The Congress on Wednesday asked the Centre's special representative of Jammu and Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma as whether his visit is just an attempt to influence the upcoming assembly polls in different states.

Sharma on Wednesday called on Congress delegation led by party leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir.

Mir said that during the meeting they asked the interlocutor as whether he visited the Valley to engage the stakeholders or "just to do time pass in the light of forthcoming elections".

"We met the interlocutor and shared our viewpoints. We also asked as to whether he came here to control the present situation in the Valley or to engage the stakeholders or just to do time pass in the light of forthcoming elections. I would also like to ask him whether he would take any serious action after meeting all the stakeholders. The matter will be resolved only after initiating dialogue with the basic stakeholders," the Congress leader told media.

Meanwhile, Sharma said that he would also meet Hurriyat leaders soon.

He further said that the Congress Party has always pitched for dialogue. And any matter can be resolved through talks.

Earlier in the day, former state chief minister and National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah met Sharma and discussed the prevailing situation in the Valley.

Abdullah told ANI, "Dineshwar Sharma sent a message saying he wants to meet me. He told me about the responsibilities he is dealing with as the new interlocutor. We discussed the prevailing situation in the state and also steps that can be taken to make his visits to the state more meaningful."

He added that Sharma asked for his suggestions to guide him through.

"He also asked how he can make his mission fruitful. I hope he will consider my suggestions. We all want to solve Kashmir issue through a dialogue and make Valley's environment peaceful," Abdullah further said.

Earlier in the day, Omar tweeted, "Mr Dineshawar Sharma & I met at my residence in Srinagar this morning. We discussed the prevailing situation in the state as also steps that can be taken to make his visits to the state more meaningful."

The new interlocutor is in the Valley for a dialogue process with various political parties, socio-cultural organisations, individuals and opinion makers.

He is also scheduled to hold talks with Governor N. N.