PDP still not opening its cards on election, take decision on Oct 25

Srinagar, Oct 21 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has yet to open its cards on participation in the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, leaving everybody guessing.

The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the party is meeting on October 24 and 25 to take a final decision whether to join or stay away from the poll process, PDP General Secretary Nizam Uddin Bhat told UNI today.

He said no decision has been taken so far.

About non-participation of PDP leaders in the all party meeting called by Governor N N Vohra yesterday in connection with the election arrangments, Mr Nizam, MLC, said we do not want to send a confusion signal to the people of the state.

''How can we take part in the meetings called in connection with the holding of elections by the administration when we have not yet decided about participating in the process,'' he said.

Mr Nizam said selecting candidates for the polls would be decided only when a final decision is taken by the PAC.

The PDP leaders during their meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Election Commission of India (ECI) has opposed immediate polls and said situation was not conducive for credible polls.

The PDP had suggested several Confidence Building Measurs (CBM) before going for polls to have larger participation of people in the democratic process.

The party had in fact welcomed the ECI when poll schedule was announced for only five Indian states, leaving Jammu and Kashmir.

However, latest announcement of ECI has surprised the PDP.

UNI BAS BDP DS1345