J-K parties criticise decision to defer assembly poll, slam Modi govt

Parties in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday criticised the decision to defer assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir and blamed the Centre for "mishandling" the security situation and "surrendering" to militants and separatists.

The Congress, National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flayed the Centre for not holding the assembly polls along with the parliamentary election, which will be held in five phases in the state.

The NC said it was for the first time since 1996 that assembly election in the state was not being held on time.

Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said, "Decision to hold only parliamentary elections in J&K confirms sinister designs of Government of India."
NPP supremo Bhim Singh said in Jammu, "This has exposed the double standards of the BJP government at the Centre."