Farooq Abdulla slams Centre on it's 'unclear' stand on Article 35 A; says 'protect Article 35A or we will boycott J-K local elections'

The National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday slammed the Centre and state government ocer it's unclear their stand on Article 35 A and said it will boycott the upcoming panchayat and local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir if it fails to clear its position in the regards. Article 35 A provides special rights to the restive state’s citizens.

The former CM of Jammu and Kashmir also said that his party will fight tooth and nail all the sinister attempts aimed at interfering with the constitutional guarantee in any manner what so ever.

“Unless and until the government of India and state government clear their position in the regard and take effective steps for the protection of Article 35A in and outside court, the NC will not participate in the elections,’’ Abdullah said after the meeting of the party’s core group.

“The role of central government and present dispensation in the state before the Supreme court is against the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state,” he said.

Omar Abdullah, son of Farooq Abdulla also said that the Centre should make its stand on the article of the Constitution that restricts property ownership and government jobs to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

“It is now for the central government to clarify where it stands with regard to Art 35-A. It’s not enough to use Panchayat & Municipal elections simply to delay proceedings in court,” he tweeted.