Srinagar/New Delhi, October 4: The opposition Congress party on Friday confirmed that it would participate in the first-ever Block Development Council elections in Jammu and Kashmir, to be held on October 24. The announcement by Congress amid most the lockdown in the Valley and several political leaders put under detention by the administration post abrogation of Article 370.

Addressing a press conference, Congress chief spokesman Ravinder Sharma accused, as reported by Indian Express, that the administration has imposed various other restrictions to keep the entire opposition away from any political movement for past two months. Accompanied by party general secretary Th. Manmohan Singh and co-treasurer Rajnish Sharma, Sharma alleged that everything is not normal in Kashmir, which the government wants to portray. India Lambasts Pakistan PM Imran Khan for Jihad Remarks on LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, Says 'Doesn't Behove the Office He Occupies'.

Sharma said, as quoted by the daily, "Congress has taken the blood decision of participating in the BDC elections in the larger interest of the democracy, people of the state and the nation which, however, is not a justice of the electoral system and the people in the given circumstances."

Stating that Congress has strong reservation about the unilateral decision to hold elections in the valley when leaders are under detention, Sharma mentioned that nearly 12,052 Panch constituencies were lying vacant. Adding on, Sharma mentioned that the decision to contest elections has been taken after due consultation with party high command.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2019 11:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).