Sajjad Lone meets PM Modi

People's Conference leader Sajjad Lone met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, triggering speculations that the former separatist leader might join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Prime Minister is a great human being and very down to earth. He said that he would take a personal effort in restoring glory of Srinagar. He was very positive about including Srinagar in the 'Smart Cities' concept and assured the Centre's intervention to fulfil the need for medical colleges and hospitals in the state," Lone told the media.

"He was so large hearted that it was tough to say whether I was meeting the Prime Minister of India or my elder brother," he added.

The former separatist leader had also recently met BJP leader and former RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav in Srinagar.

Earlier in the day, Panthers Party leader Bhim Singh said that there is nothing to be surprised about the meeting as all Kashmiris are citizens of India.

The assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in five phases - on November 25, December 2, December 9, December 14 and December 20. The counting of votes will be held on December 23.