PDP will contest from all 87 seats in JK: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Oct 28: On Tuesday, Oct 28 People's Democractic Party announced its decision to contest in the nearing mini Assembly polls in Jammu Kashmir putting an end to long time suspense. ''Though we believe the situation is not conducive for credible elections, our Political Affairs committee decided to contest the polls in the larger interest of people of the state," said PDP president Mehbooba Mufti in a media conference in Srinagar.

She said the party has decided to contest from all 87 seats. The announcement to participate in the elections came four days after her father and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed released a 'self-rule document' on Kashmir in which he demanded among other things, setting up of a Regional Council of greater Jammu and Kashmir, elected governor and non-applicability of Article 356 of the constitution on the state.

The PDP leaders during their two meetings with the Election Commission had suggested more Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) before their sprint for the Assembly elections.

The PDP had said, for credible elections more time was needed to make the atmosphere more conducive for participation of people in the democratic process in large numbers.

UNI