PDP puts off its Srinagar rally ahead of Rajnath Singh’s visit

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party has put off its scheduled public rally in Srinagar on September 10 that was expected to be addressed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh who is visiting the state this weekend.
“We were told late on Wednesday evening that the rally has been put on hold,” said a senior PDP minister.

Amid the ongoing debate over protection of Article 35-A and the fresh “outreach” by Prime Minister NarendraModi to people of Kashmir during his I-Day speech in which he talked of embracing Kashmiris, the rally had become a talking point in Kashmir.
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah had also tweeted about it. “Srinagar is abuzz with talk that @jkpdp has organised a mega public meeting for Rajnath Singh so he can announce Central Govt support to 35-A”.
“The expectation is that ModiGovt will throw its complete weight behind protecting (Article) 35A and Rajnath Singh Ji will announce this on the 10th,” Omar had said in another tweet.

A senior PDP leader said they had already started preparations to make the rally a success.
He said the Chief Minister had even chaired a meeting of party leaders in civil secretariat here on Wednesday morning, asking them to work for making the rally a success.
“The rally was seen as new beginning on political front in Kashmir, particularly in the wake of the Prime Minister’s outreach on August 15,” he said.
He cited the “harvest season” in Kashmir as a reason for cancellation of the rally, saying workers and supporters would remain busy till next week. However another party leader while responding to a question said: “May be things didn’t go as planned.”
Meanwhile, the Home Minister is scheduled to arrive in Srinagar on September 9 at 11 am on a four-day visit. He will chair developmental and security review meetings in the summer capital and is scheduled to visit Jammu, Rajouri and Anantnag.
Singh will address a press conference in Srinagar on September 11 and at Jammu on September 12, said a source.
The Home Minister will be separately meeting Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Governor NN Vohra.
Several political delegations and civil society members are also scheduled to call on the Home Minister during his stay in J&K, the source said.