Raking up Article 35A, National Conference to boycott J&K panchayat elections 2018
Farooq Abdullah
Farooq Abdullah announced on Wednesday that the National Conference will refrain from participating in the panchayat elections until the issue of Article 35A is settled for good.
National Conference on Wednesday has decided to boycott panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir citing the challenge to Article 35A of the constitution.
"J&K National Conference will not participate in these elections (panchayat), unless and until the Government of India and the state government clears its position in this regard (Article 35 A) and takes effective steps for the protection of Article 35 A in & inside the court," said Farooq Abdullah.
The National Conference president also said that the upcoming local bodies and panchayat polls were for the betterment of the people of the state.
"The government has announced panchayat and town area committee elections. This is not a decision for India or Pakistan. This is a decision for making your own life better - whether you want to make your village better, address peoples' problems or not,” he added.
The polls will be conducted from November 8 to December 4.
The State Administrative Council (SAC) on Friday released a schedule for the municipal and panchayat elections in the state.
On Saturday NC president and Member of Parliament Farooq Abdullah said that steps should be taken to win the hearts of the people.