Srinagar, Sep 10 (KNS): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after a meeting of the top office bearers and party legislators announced boycott of the Panchayat and Municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti in a meeting has said that “the government has linked the case filed against article 35 A to conduct of Panchayat and municipal elections in the state.”
In a resolution released by the party, a copy of which lies with Kashmir News Service (KNS), the party said “While special status is matter of survival for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, democratic system is the issue of sustenance, the party feels any attempt to impose any electoral exercise would erode the credibility of the process and the institutions.”
The party also urged the government to review its decision on holding civic polls against the will of the people and instead focus on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs).
The resolution said “party has decided to stay away from municipal and panchayat elections.”
“The Peoples Democratic Party has been watching for some time with concern the political situation in the State. In this connection the party held discussion at many levels and views were expressed by all senior leaders, elected representatives and the rank and file of the party,” PDP resolution reads.
“It was noted with concern that the situation created by linking local bodies elections with the case pending in the Supreme court about Article 35-A has created serious apprehensions in the minds of people who genuinely see an assault on the special constitutional position of the state. The party noted with satisfaction the efforts made by it as part of the state government in and out of the court. It reiterated its resolve to continue its efforts to defend the special position of the State in all circumstances,” it added.
“The party feels that while the special position of the State is a matter of survival of its people and society, democratic system is its sustenance. It was felt that any attempt to impose any electoral exercise in the current atmosphere of fear and apprehension would seriously erode the credibility of the process and intuitions. It would defeat the very purpose of it,” the resolution reads.
“The party, therefore, urges that government to review its decision to hold local bodies elections at this venture against the will of the people and instead focus on confidence building measures, so that the state is assured of the inviolability of the constitutional guarantees that make it a special part of the union of India,” PDP resolution said, adding that “it was, therefore unanimously resolved that the party would stay away from the electoral exercise at this juncture.” (KNS)