PDP to contest all seats in J and K: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Oct 28 (UNI) Ending the suspense, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) today announced its decision to contest the ensuing Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

''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, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti told a press conference here .

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.

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