After NC, PDP distances itself from Jammu and Kashmir local body elections, wants consultation on Article 35A before polls

Srinagar: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Rafi Ahmad Mir on Thursday asked Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik to address issues related to Article 35A. Mir said his party wants wider consultations on various issues including 35A before going for the upcoming panchayat and urban local bodies polls in the state. [caption id=“attachment_5133091” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Rafi Ahmad Mir. ANI[/caption] National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday had said that his party will not participate in the polls until the “Government of India and the state government make their position clear on Article 35A inside and outside the court.” Maintaining suspense over PDP’s decision, Mir after a core group meeting of the party earlier on Thursday, told media, “We are not in competition with them (National Conference), but we have a genuine concern. There is a mix-up of issues, due to (Article) 35A, which we are not in favour of. We want the governor to address this and other election-related issues, after which we will take a decision.” “It will take some time. We are for a consultative mechanism, not within PDP only, but rest of the things also. We also have to look at our cadre base and people. We are not here to spoil the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, we don’t want bloodshed here. But we are the main political party. We have always participated in the election, we should not be seen running away from the election. We are going to participate. We will take a final call and share with you,” he added. Mir’s comments come days after the Supreme Court deferred, until January 2019, the hearing on a clutch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A. Article 35A disallows people from residing in Jammu and Kashmir, buying or owning immovable property in the state, settling permanently, or getting state government jobs.