Farooq Abdullah threatens to boycott Lok Sabha polls over Article 35A

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that he would boycott not only Panchayat elections but also Lok Sabha and Assembly elections if the Centre doesn't clear its stand on Article 35A and Article 370, reported news agency ANI.

Speaking at an event in Srinagar, Abdullah also attacked the media for targeting cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu for attending the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan new Prime Minister Imran Khan.

''The manner in which media targeted Sidhu shows there are elements which don't want India-Pakistan relations to improve,'' he was quoted as saying.

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There's vested interest, both in India and Pakistan, which don't want peace in both countries. But for people of J&K, India-Pakistan friendship is essential, former CM said.

Stating that India- Pakistan friendship should be encouraged, he said If we're friends with our neighbour, both of us will prosper.

''I hope PM thinks about it and works for it,'' Abdullah added.

No Muslim has ever told a Hindu or Christian to change the way they practice religion, but when they tell us not to offer Namaz in a particular way or stop Azaan, they want to change Gandhi's India. If they want to save the nation, they need respect all religions equally, he said.