SRINAGAR: A day after his release from detention after over seven months, National Conference patron and former J&K chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday met two top politicians — his son Omar Abdullah , also a former CM, and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad Farooq went to the sub-jail at Hari Niwas Palace on Gupkar Road, where Omar is detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), at 11 in the morning. Accompanied by wife Molly and daughter Safiya Khan, Farooq spent nearly one-and-half hours with Omar and came out at 12.45pm. He then went straight to his private residence in the same area. At his residence, he was joined by senior Congress politician Azad at 1.30pm for lunch.The sitting MP from Srinagar, 82-year-old Farooq was detained at his Gupkar Road residence immediately after the nullification of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh on August 5 last year. PSA was slapped on him in September.After meeting Omar, Farooq did not talk to reporters. Even after the luncheon meeting with Azad, when both the politicians held a press conference at Farooq’s residence around 3pm, the octogenarian politician kept mum and the former did all the talking.Azad said, “It is the happiest moment for me that after seven months I had the opportunity to meet Farooq sahab. Even after Farooq Sahab was released, we still don’t know the reasons behind his detention.”He said detention is for those who violate the law and are involved in anti-national and anti-government activities. “But, in the wake of nullification of Article 370, many leaders, irrespective of their political affiliation, were put under detention. Therefore, there is no question of any violation by them.”Demanding restoration of statehood to J&K, he said its bifurcation into two UTs was an insult to its people.Expressing his closeness with Farooq, Azad said: “The love and friendship with Farooq sahab is the reason behind my meeting him today. I also came to see him on behalf of those who raised their voice against the detention of political leaders in Parliament and at other platforms.”Addressing Farooq, Azad said: “I know what difficulties you have faced.” Then he went on to say, “In view of his age and health, putting Farooq sahab under detention was nothing but ‘excesses’ by the government.”Azad proposed initiation of a political process as it would enable the authorities to hold elections in J&K. “Those elected by the people can then take decision regarding development (of J&K) in a better way,” he said.Azad said in the last three years, development process in J&K had come to a grinding halt and, therefore, people here were suffering. Almost every sector, including tourism, had received a jolt with bad administration, he added.