Jammu: The Shiv Sena on August 31 announced that it would contest 12 seats in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, including Ganderbal where National Conference chief Omar Abdullah is in the fray, even as it criticised the Centre for inviting separatist leaders for talks.

State Sena chief Kalki ji Maharaj, who released the list of 10 candidates, told reporters that the party would contest 12 seats, including Ganderbal.

"The party decided to enter the fray as the people are fed up with the handling of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir by the National Conference in the state and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre," Maharaj said.

Sena's Uttar Bharat Samparkh Pramukh Lt Gen (retd) P N Hoon, who was also present, criticised the Union government for inviting separatist leaders for talks saying, "It is unfortunate that anti-national elements are being propped up by some leaders at the Centre."

Accusing the Centre of pursuing a "weak-kneed" policy on Kashmir, he said "to protect ourselves, we have to become aggressive".

Shiv Sena is opposed to the concept of trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir and believed in its unity, he said, adding the party is also against the demand for autonomy as it meant giving pre-1953 status to the state.

"If autonomy demand is conceded to Jammu and Kashmir, then it should be given to all other state," he said, adding even Article 370 guaranteeing special status to Jammu and Kashmir should be abrogated.

PTI