Jammu and Kashmir’s main parties are bracing for a showdown with the Centre over the decision to give non-locals voting rights in Assembly elections, with Farooq Abdullah calling for a meeting of all parties barring the BJP on Monday to plan a joint strategy to fight the move.

“Farooq Abdullah has invited leaders of all political parties to a meeting to discuss the recent announcement by the Jammu and Kashmir government regarding inclusion of non-locals in the voters’ list,” National Conference spokesman Imran Nabi Dar said.

The invite has been sent even to parties who are not part of the Gupkar Alliance, such as the Congress and Sajad Lone’s People’s Conference as well as Altaf Bukhari’s Apni Party that is considered close to the BJP. Farooq leads the Gupkar Alliance, formed to fight for the restoration of Article 370 provisions.

Jammu and Kashmir’s top election officer, Hirdesh Kumar Singh, on Wednesday said the Union Territory might witness an addition of nearly 25 lakh voters who would include non-locals.

The announcement has triggered protests across Jammu and Kashmir with parties alleging it was another move to disempower the local population.

Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and NC spokesman Tanvir Sadiq on Thursday addressed separate media conferences to announce their opposition to the decision on voters.

NC spokesman Sadiq said the BJP’s ploy was to allow non-locals to cast their ballots in Jammu and Kashmir and then deregister before their own states go to polls.

Mehbooba urged citizens across the country to rise against the move, alleging the BJP was trying to do away with the Constitution and replace the Tricolour with the “Bhaghwa flag”.

“Election rigging is done sometimes during polls and sometimes after, as we have witnessed in several states including Maharashtra. Agencies like the ED are being used to do such rigging,” Mehbooba said.