BJP calls J&K core group meeting to discuss Kashmir situation; Modi, Shah may attend

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend a meeting called by the BJP of its Jammu and Kashmir unit's core group on Tuesday to discuss the political atmosphere in the state and also the party's preparedness for assembly elections whenever they are held.

Top BJP leaders, including PM Modi and party chief and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, are set to discuss the situation arising in Kashmir as the Centre prepares to abrogate Article 35A that gives Jammu and Kashmir special powers.

The likely presence of Modi and Shah in the meeting is significant and hints at the party gearing up for the state assembly elections, whose schedule will be finalised by the Election Commission after it receives a go-ahead from the central and state governments on law and order situation.

Sources said Union minister Jitendra Singh, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav and its state unit president Ravinder Raina and other senior leaders from the state will attend the meeting besides the party's national working president JP Nadda.

Earlier, Madhav, who is the party's pointsman for Jammu and Kashmir, had urged the Election Commission to hold polls in the state this year.

The state BJP has asserted that it is ready for elections anytime, with its general secretary Narinder Singh saying that there is still enough time left for the EC to hold polls this year.

In 2014, the state polls were held in November-December.

Jammu and Kashmir is currently under President's Rule. It was extended for one more term of six months beginning July 3.