J&K: Ram Madhav tears into PDP, NCP for boycotting Panchayat polls

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Ram Madhav fired fresh salvos at People's Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference Party (NCP) for boycotting the Panchayat polls in the state due to disagreement with the centre over Article 35 A.

Questioning the boycott of Panchayat elections by the two major political parties of Jammu and Kashmir, Madhav, who is also BJP's in-charge for the state, asked them whether they will boycott Parliament and Assembly elections in the name of Article 35A.

"They have boycotted civic and panchayat polls in the name of Article 35A. Will, they also not take part in the upcoming Parliament and Assembly elections?" he questioned.

In October, PDP and NC boycotted the civic polls accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of not taking a firm stand on the protection of Article 35(A) of the Constitution which had been challenged in the Supreme Court a few months back.

Article 35(A) article of the Indian Constitution gives the State Legislature of Jammu and Kashmir the power to define the 'Permanent Residents' of the State. The State Legislature is also empowered to give them Special Rights and Privileges.

Training guns at both the parties, the BJP leader asserted that these moves are taken by them in order to create 'obstructions' in the commencement of Panchayat Polls. He also accused them of being irresponsible and being against strengthening of democracy in the state.

Madhav also touched upon the issue of Governor's rule in the state and asserted that more developmental works have been carried since it has been imposed.

"Ever since Governor rule has been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir there has been all-round development in all the sectors. Even the public is happy. So, the party has decided that Governor's rule should continue for some more time," he said.

After BJP broke its alliance with PDP, President Ram Nath Kovind in June imposed Governor's rule in the state, which was the eighth time that the region was put under the Governor.

President Ram Nath Kovind's approval had come after state Governor N N Vohra submitted a report to him recommending imposition of Governor's rule in the state days after Mehbooba Mufti resigned as the chief minister post BJP's decision to break the alliance with her party PDP.

In August this year, Satyapal Malik had replaced NN Vohra as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.