Summary:
He said the decision was taken in the party's core group meeting on Wednesday. SRINAGAR: The National Conference (NC) led by former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah announced on Wednesday that it would stay away from the upcoming municipal and panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir , saying the situation was not conducive for such an exercise.Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, NC president Farooq Abdullah said: "Our party will not contest the panchayat and municipal polls until the Centre clears its position on Article 35A granting special rights to the residents and takes effective steps for its protection.".