Cong to boycott BDC polls in J&K

Jammu: In a U-turn, the Congress on Wednesday announced it would boycott the upcoming Block Development Council (BDC) polls in Jammu and Kashmir, days after saying it will take part in the October 24 election.

The opposition party cited the "indifferent" attitude of the state administration and the continued detention of its senior leaders in the wake of the Centre revoking the state's special status under Article 370 of the Constitution to justify its decision to boycott the polls.

The BDC polls will be the first to be held in the state since its special status under Article 370 was revoked on August 5.

Despite expressing its reservation on the timing of the polls and the ongoing security situation in the state, the Congress, along with the National Panthers Party, had decided to take part in the BDC election last week.