Interlocutor

The National Conference (NC) alleged that the interlocutor hasn’t invited the state’s main opposition party, which ruled the state before Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP formed a coalition government in 2015.

“There is always a formal invitation for talks. We haven’t been invited and we are not going and knocking on Mr Sharma’s door asking for appointment. Considering what happened to the earlier interlocutors’ reports, this makes the whole process doubtful,” NC spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said.

NC president Farooq Abdullah and son Omar Abdullah could not be reached for comments.

The Hurriyat Conference hasn’t been invited either. The hardline group had ruled out any talks with Sharma, a former Intelligence Bureau director, after the Centre appointed him this October as its representative for talks with “all stakeholders” in Kashmir.

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries turned down the interlocutor’s invitation. The Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir also stayed away. So did the houseboat owners association, and hoteliers’ union.