PDP threatens to boycott all J

Srinagar, Mar 20 (UNI) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a ruling coalition partner in Jammu and Kashmir, today threatened to boycott all state Cabinet meetings till Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad agreed to discuss the issue of troop withdrawal in a special session.

''Our party recently passed a resolution seeking withdrawal of troops and repeal of draconian laws giving special powers to the armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. We had urged Mr Azad to convene a special session of the state Cabinet to discuss these issues threadbare,'' PDP spokesman Basharat Bukhari told UNI.

''The Chief Minister has not even acknowledged our request. There is no problem in discussing the issues. It is the Cabinet's prerogative to accept or reject these demands,'' he added.

Mr Bukhari said the PDP represented the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and would never desist from raising the issues concerning them at any forum.

''We will boycott all Cabinet meetings till a special session is convened to discuss our demand,'' he said.

The PDP had skipped the previous three Cabinet meetings, the last held on March 18 in Jammu, in protest and apparently to put pressure on Mr Azad to accept its demand.

UNI