PDP-BJP Govt. diluted powers of Panchayats

Congress questions PM’s Statement on PRIs in State

Reviewed Party functionaries of Bishnah, Bani, Mendhar and Jammu East Assembly segments

Jammu, August 13: - BJP was equally responsible in bringing a retrograde amendment to the Panchayat Raj Act which had diluted the power and provisions of 73rd amendment of the constitution but it was opposition especially Congress which had launched a struggle against it and finally the Governor has now restored the previous position of direct elections to the Sarpanch. 

Reacting to the Prime Minister Modi’s statement regarding his party’s commitment to strengthen PRIs in the state, JKPCC Chief Shri G. A. Mir questioned as why the centre government and the BJP high command did not intervene to advise his party in the state, to stand against the anti-democratic and retrograde step to dilute the provisions of 73rd amendment, despite strong protests by the Congress and other opposition parties and representatives of Panchayats. PDP-BJP government brought about the anti-democratic amendment through state legislature, against tough opposition by Congress and all opposition parties. The Governor had withheld the assent and sought clarifications but again PDP-BJP pressed for same and got it done. Congress launched a dharna at Raj Bhawan against it, on July 8, 2016 and state wide movement in the state. Fortunately the Governor has now undone the same and restored direct elections to Panchayats. How can BJP and Prime Minister tell to the nation that his party tried to strengthen PRIs in the state.

Addressing meeting of prominent leaders of Bishnah, Bani, Mendhar and Jammu East as part of organizational review to gear up for ULB and Panchayat elections, Mir said that PM Modi is not aware that his party’s Govt. in the state had taken away the direct voting rights in the Panchayats. It was congress which brought about consensus on 73rd and 74th amendment and the same were in corporated in the state laws on March 14, 2014 and now elections would be held as per provisions of 73rd and 74th amendments. 

He took dig at the central leadership of BJP by stating that they are not aware that state BJP leaders had compromised on every commitment and promise to remain in power and people were left high and dry. Finally BJP Chief Amit Shah has himself confessed publically in Jammu the failure of his party to fulfill any commitment and carryout any development in Jammu region. 

Mir asked party cadres to gear up to face the challenge posed by opportunist forces and ensure victory of the party in any electoral exercise in the state, as people in three regions are in a mood to elect congress to power. Besides President PCC, A team of Senior Leaders including Vice-Presidents Mula Ram, Raman Bhalla, G.M. Saroori, Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma listened to leaders and prominent delegates of different constituencies about the prospects of the party, to chalk out poll strategy. 

Addressing the gathering, Former Minister and Vice President PCC Shri Raman Bhalla said that BJP has proved to be the most opportunist and power hungry party. It compromised on every commitment for the sake of power with PDP, which proved to be the worst ever government in the state, as people of all sections were worst hit and youth suffered the most. BJP utterly failed to come to the expectations of people of Jammu region. 

JKPCC Vice President and Former Minister Shri Mula Ram lashed out at the BJP for its anti- dalit and anti poor policies in the country and said that the SC/STs suffered badly under the BJP regime in the country and in the previous coalition in the state. it is congress party which always took progressive steps and policies for uplifting the oppressed classes.

Shri G.M. Saroori (MLA) asked the party cadres to educate the masses about the politics of hate and failures an all fronts by the previous regime in the state. The projects launched by Congress party have yet to be completed and the state has lagged behind in every sphere during the BJP regime. The congress alone can ensure equitable development and maintain unity on secular lines.

Chief Spokesperson Mr. Ravinder Sharma said that congress has always taken care of all sections being secular unifying force and it alone can maintain the religious harmony and regional balance by ensuring equal participation of three regions in every sphere of life.

Prominent leaders of respective constituencies who participated in the day long deliberations include Namrata Sharma, Shashi Sharma( Bishnah), Smt. Parveen Sarwar Khan, Ch. Aiyaz Ahmad Raqeeq Khan (NSUI), Imran zaffer from Mehdhar, Vikram Malhotra, Thomas Khoker, Suresh Dogra, Tinu Khoker, Jyoti Vaid, Ch. Maqbool and others.