CPI-M to boycott panchayat polls in J&K

The CPI-M announced on Monday that it will not take part in the upcoming panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ghulam Nabi Malik, the state Secretary of the party, said here that the Central government's decision to go ahead with the polls despite a boycott by the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party only showed its arrogance.

The state is presently under Governor's Rule.

"The government should have convened an all-party meeting to discuss this issue. Unfortunately, that has not been done. Keeping the prevailing situation in consideration, the CPI-M has decided not to participate in these polls," a party statement said.

The statement said the CPI-M was for empowerment at the grassroots level but given the present situation, it was highly unlikely that people would participate in these elections.