Delimitation has to happen at quick pace so that polls can be conducted in J&K: PM Modi

He urged all political leaders to get on board with the process of redrawing assembly constituencies known as delimitation.

In a tweet, he said: "Our priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in J&K. Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and J&K gets an elected Government that gives strength to J&K's development trajectory."

"Our democracy's biggest strength is the ability to sit across a table and exchange views. I told the leaders of J&K that it is the people, specially the youth who have to provide political leadership to J&K, and ensure their aspirations are duly fulfilled," he wrote.

The statement came at the end of a three-and-a-half-hour-long meeting that the Prime Minister held with 14 political leaders from the erstwhile state at his residence in Delhi.

The meeting, which was called two years after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, concluded on a positive note as the majority of the regional players expressed confidence in the PM who assured them of early restoration of statehood and elections.

The meeting is crucial as the Centre is mulling over holding elections to the new union territory though the Kashmiri leaders continued to demand restoration of Article 370.