Home Minister of India Rajnath Singh on Monday appealed political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the upcoming Panchayat and local body polls.
Both the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, the two biggest regional political outfits have decided to boycott the elections as they have asked the Government of India to clear its stand on the issue of Article 35-A.
“I would like to appeal that all the political parties should participate in the political process. This will provide an opportunity to them to interact with the people,” Singh said at a press conference in Jammu.
To a question, the home minister said India has made all efforts to improve its relations with Pakistan and cited the impromptu visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to that country to buttress his point.
“But we cannot change the behaviour of Pakistan. They will have to understand how to behave with a neighbour,” he said.
Earlier during the day, Rajnath Singh inaugurated two pilot projects of “smart” border fencing built under the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) programme here at BSF headquarters in Jammu.
“Border security is our top most priority. I am happy to inaugurate two pilot projects under CIBMS (Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System) today.
“We have already identified vulnerable areas and gaps on all borders,” he said.
