With its decision to boycott the Block Development Council (BDC) elections in Jammu & Kashmir, the Congress party has placed itself in an unenviable position of being on the right side of the separatists.
For over 30 years since the ongoing separatists violence started in the State, the separatists have been asking people and the political parties to boycott what they call “the Indian electoral process”.
Ironically, the Congress party that fought for the country’s independence and anchored itself firmly for over 65 years through the
length and breadth of India is now seen to shift its political track.
“Since its establishment the Congress has been seen as the only political party that had roots and supportfrom Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
“As fate would have it, the party now decides to boycott election in J&K,” said Ali Muhammad, 75, who is still called ‘Ali Congressi’ in his native village in North Kashmir.
G.A. Mir, President of the state Congress has said that the party cannot fight the BDC election as its leaders belonging to the valley are still under detention.