Srinagar: Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah on September 7 said "the ball is now in New Delhi's court" and it was up to it to take steps to resolve the Kashmir issue, and dismissed the upcoming Assembly polls in the state as a "sham".

"The ball in their (Centre) court now. Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's refusal (to meet) has proved that government cannot face us on the table," Shah told a press conference after returning from New Delhi where he held second round of talks with Kashmir Committee.

"The major achievement of my visit to Delhi was countering the propaganda of Indian rulers that Kashmiris are not willing to negotiate," the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom (JKDF) party president said.

Shah said he felt "conspiracies" were hatched to sabotage efforts to resolve Kashmir issue.

"Not only in Delhi but the rulers in Srinagar also are creating innumerous hurdles in the peace process in order to maintain the status quo in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

He said there was no way his party would contest elections in the state that were meant just for "governance".

"Our stand on the issue is clear and we have issued instructions to our cadres to stay away from the polls."

PTI