People’s Democratic Party(PDP) and National Conference(NC) to stay away from panchayat polls

Regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir have reiterated their decision to boycott the upcoming Panchayat elections in the state as little has changed in the ground situation while the Government of India is still to make clear its stand regarding article 35A.

The parties have decided to retain their stand despite assurances from Home Minister Rajanath Singh, who met party members in Srinagar last month.

Panchayat elections would be held in nine phases beginning November 17 and polling will be held on November 17, 20, 24, 27 and 29, and December 1, 4, 8 and 11 in 35,096 panchayats in the state. In the first phase of the elections in a total of 259 Panchayat Halqas, 2021 panch constituencies are going for polls in which 3096 people have filed nominations.


“Urban local bodies election was a sham and mockery of democracy. They want to continue with a similar exercise in the name of Panchayat elections, without touching any of the issues we have raised,” former minister and National Conference (NC) legislator Ali Muhammad Sagar told ET.

The NC leader said that the core group of the party has decided to stay away from Panchayat elections and none of our members or associates will participate in any way. The People’s Democratic Party, which partnered the BJP in the state before the latter pulled support in June this year, has also decided to continue its boycott of the Panchayat elections, even after meeting the home minster.