Excelsior Correspondent
NOWSHERA, Jan 9 : Expressing strong reservations and objections to the indirect elections to Panchayats, former MLC and PCC chief spokesman Ravinder Sharma has exhorted the party cadres and people in general to gear up for polls to elect the right and deserving candidates.
Lashing out at the PDP-BJP coalition for the killing the spirit of democracy especially of 73rd amendment by denying the people of their basic right to directly elect the person of their choice in their Panchayat as Sarpanch, PCC leader questioned the commitment of two parties to strengthen democracy at the grass root level.
Addressing a series of meetings in Nowshera, Sunderbani area Sharma said while the Congress succeeded in its struggle to fully empower Panchayat Raj system by implementing and incorporating to 73rd amendment in the State Panchayat Raj Act in march 2014 and provided in the State Act provisions for directly elected Panch, Sarpanch, elected Block Development Council and District Boards with 33% reservation to Women at all tiers and SC/ST reservations as per their population but the PDP & BJP have undone the same by a retrograde amendment despite strong protest from Congress and other opposition parties.
It is unfortunate that while in opposition both these parties especially BJP used to shed crocodile tears for empowering Panchayats but their deeds in the Government exposed their hypocracy and double speak. The people should teach them a lesson. This move will open doors for horse trading, corruptions and misuse of power in the system.
Sharma said that this Government still has time to undo the harm caused, to the Panchayat Raj system and restore the powers to the people, by bringing in the relevant amendments for direct election, in the ongoing session besides setting up an independent election commission as per provisions of the un-amended State Panchayat Act
Sharma asked the people and party workers to choose, support and elect the right candidates in the ensuing elections to fight for the rights of the people.
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