Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 21: A meeting of all OBC organizations was held at Vishwakarma Library Hall, New Plot Jammu to discuss the strategy for coming Assembly elections in J&K, under the chairmanship of Lakhbir Singh Labana.
Several organizations of the OBCs including- All India Backward Classes Federation (AIBCF) led by FC Satia and Balwant Kataria, All India Backward Classes Union (AIBCU) led by Prof Kalidas, and Mohd Laif Qureshi, All India OBC Mahasabha led by Bansi Lal Choudhary, All J&K Labana Sabha, led by Sardar Lakhbir Singh, All J&K Dhobi Community Coordination Committee led by Mohd Shabir Sambyal, J&K Sain Samaj Sabha led by FC Fotra, president participated.
Threadbare discussion was held on the issue of OBCs participation and role in the coming Assembly elections. Members expressed concern over the casual approach of all political parties during elections. Political parties follow use and throw policy for OBCs. It was emphasized by all speakers that political parties must give sufficient mandate to the OBC people in the just announced elections else OBCs will be compelled to fight independently or by floating their own party. It was opined by majority speakers that all OBC issues are not being addressed seriously by the Government.
Jia Lal Verma from district Samba said that OBCs should stop begging now. OBC must either float their own party or compel the parties for due mandate. He told the house that population of OBCs is such that it can fight alone but unity is factor which they lag.
Bansi Lal Choudhary said that Congress is crying for OBC census and representation in jobs and politics but they did nothing when they were in power. So congress or BJP, they are having same attitude towards OBCs. He said OBCs will influence the election results, if not properly represented by big political parties. Mohd Latif Qureshi (Chairman AIBCF) stated that OBCs are quite awakened and they are aware of their rights. Those who are responsible for deprivation of these people shall be made to realize their misdeeds in these elections.
Lakhbir Singh Labana said that inclusion of General Castes in OBC list has made, OBC category-a General category. He said that leading political parties are hell bent upon to harm OBCs by all possible means. He expressed concern over no weightage to such a large chunk of population. He told that all OBC organizations shall be brought under one umbrella soon.