NC playing 'role of separatists' by boycotting civic bodies polls: J-K BJP

The J-K BJP Wednesday hit out at the National Conference for announcing to boycott the forthcoming civic bodies polls in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging the party was playing the "role of separatists" by blackmailing the Centre on Article 35-A which is subjudice.

Party president Farooq Abdullah said Wednesday the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference will boycott the local body and panchayat elections in the state unless the Centre takes effective steps for protection of Article 35-A of the Constitution, which is facing legal challenge in the Supreme Court.

Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state.

J-K BJP spokesperson Priya Sethi told reporters, "The NC is playing the role of separatists by boycotting civic polls and trying to blackmail Government of India on Article 35-A, which is subjudice."