Jammu-Kashmir: National Conference will boycott panchayat, urban body elections

Srinagar: On Wednesday, National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah announced the boycott of the upcoming panchayat and urban local body elections in Srinagar.

While addressing the press briefing in Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah said that the party will not participate in the elections in the panchayat and the biennial elections this year, as situations are not favourable in the Valley.

Abdullah said that all the MLAs of the party have taken this decision in a meeting. He said that the party is not clear about its stance on Article 35A of the Central Government and any tampering of the Article will prove to be devastating for the Valley.

National Conference spokesman Ruhullah Mehdi confirmed through Twitter that the Jammu Kashmir National Conference will not participate in the panchayat and urban local body elections.

The @JKNC_ will not participate in the Panchayat and ULB elections unless and until the GOI clears its position with regard to Art 35-A. And takes effective steps to safeguard it inside and outside the Courts.

— Ruhullah Mehdi (@RuhullahMehdi) September 5, 2018