Srinagar, Oct. 7 -- Ending suspense, the All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Association (AJKPA), an apex body of elected Panches and Sarpanches, has decided not to align with any political party and contest forthcoming Block Development Council (BDC) elections as independents.
"How is it viable to fight the second tier of Panchayat polls on party basis when the first tier was contested on non-party lines? The institution of Panchayati Raj is being politicized. There is a political motive behind the decision so that a particular political party reaps benefits," said Shafiq Ahmad Mir, chairman AJKPA.
The BDC elections in the state will be held on October 24 and the date for filing of nomination papers will end on October 9.
A meeting of AJKPA...