Srinagar, Aug. 23: The ruling Peoples Democratic Party and Opposition National Conference seem to be in a race to take credit for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Kashmir dialogue initiative.

Modi yesterday called for finding a "permanent and lasting solution"to the Kashmir problem within the framework of the Constitution, the announcement coming during his meeting of the state's Opposition leaders led by Omar Abdullah.

The Centre is rushing home minister Rajnath Singh to the Valley to break the ice. The Valley is under curfew and shutdown for 46 days, since Hizb commander Burhan Wani was killed.

Tanvir Sadiq, National Conference leader and political secretary to Omar Abdullah, said his party's "pressure" has made Delhi move from its "development will solve everything to lasting solution", referring to Modi's first statement in which he averred that developmen alone would solve the Kashmir crisis to the statement yesterday in which he called for a permanent solution.

"Good beginning is half done", Tanvir tweeted. National Conference vice president Rattan Lal Gupta today lauded Omar for the initiative in "seeking solution to political dimensions of Kashmir problem".

"Realisation seems to be dawning on the highest political leadership in the country which is reflected by the admission of the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi about problems confronted in Jammu and Kashmir not being just developmental or economical," he said.

PDP's Waheed ur Rehman Parra, responding to the National Conference leaders' claim, tweeted that time will recognise chief minister Mehbooba Mufti's role in facilitating dialogue. "With time you may recognise the role of JKPDP and CM in particular in facilitating peace process", tweeted Parra.

Mehbooba, on her part yesterday, tried to put up a brave face over the Prime Minister's meeting with a delegation led by Omar.