National Conference President Omar Abdullah mooted the proposal for a joint rally with his arch rival - the People's Democratic Party and Hurriyat Conference for restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Omar, who was sharing the dais at a press conference for the first time with PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti and Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, said he was willing to do anything for bringing in the state peace.
"But while participating, we need to ensure that the rally is only for peace and no politics is mixed with it," Omar told reporters at the press meet organised on the sidelines of The Hindustan Times Summit. He was replying to a question from reporters about the role of gun in present situation of Kashmir.
The Mirwaiz, after his initial reluctance to make a firm statement on this issue, said "A peace rally without politics involved in it is a nice idea. But it should also condemn perpetrators of violence from security forces side. "His reluctance on the issue was overcome after Omar said "I will not hesitate for a second to participate if Mirwaiz Saheb organises a peace rally." Mehbooba, without making any formal statement, nodded her head in acceptance to the proposal mooted by Omar.
The National Conference president also extended an invitation to the Mirwaiz and Mehbooba for a separate meeting and said, "We three could also help in contributing to the peace process in the state."