Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 25: The Congress-NC combine today intensified its campaign for the MLC elections from Panchayats and held series of meetings in Poonch, Kathua and Udhampur districts besides in other districts of the province.
Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla visited Qasba, Bandi Chanchian, Noona Bandi, Saral and Radio Station Mohalla in Poonch district and convened several interactive meet with Sarpanchs and Panchs.
He appealed them to cast their valuable vote in favour of NC-Congress partners namely Dr. Shenaz Ganai and Sham Lal Bhagat by clicking the button of Congress and NC candidates on polling day.
MLA Ejaz Jan, Vice Chairman Gujjar and Bakerwal Advisory Board Ch Basir Ahmed Naz, MLC Jahangir Mir besides Sarpanchs and Panchs in large numbers were also present in the series of meetings, here at Poonch district.
Mr. Bhalla said that the Coalition Government between National Conference and Congress will grow further in the State to realize the goal of harmony and prosperity. He said coalition partners represent the aspirations of people of the State.
A meeting of Sarpanchs and Panchs was held at Bani in Kathua District. Besides former Minister & Vice President PCC Prem Sagar Aziz and Haider Sheikh Malik, former Deputy Speaker and Senior NC leader, MLC and District Congress President Subash Gupta coordinated the meeting. The meeting was attended by large number of Sarpanchs and Panchs of the area, who represented their issues and demands for the empowerment of Panchayats. They also highlighted the problems of this remote and backward area of the province.
Speaking on the occasion the senior Congress and NC leaders explained that the Panchayat Raj system is being further democratized and empowered by incorporating the best provisions of the 73rd Amendment, the process for which has already been initiated. The election to the other tiers of the Panchayat Raj system would be held shortly after the necessary amendments in the Panchayat Raj Act.
The Congress-NC candidates Sham Lal Bhagat and Dr. Shehnaz Ganai today campaigned in Udhampur and parts of Kathua District. Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma accompanied the candidates in Udhampur, Ramnagar and Majalta while Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma, MOS Co-operatives campaigned in Billawar. The meetings were attended by large number of Sarpanches and Panches of the areas and they assured to support the coalition candidates.
The Senior leaders and Coalition candidates explained to the audience about the steps taken to strengthen the Panchayat Raj system in the State and said that coalition is committed to set up a fully empowered Panchayat Raj at all levels, in the State. Other senior leaders of NC & Congress accompanied and addressed the meetings.
PCC-I Women Cell president and MLA Indu Pawar has also appealed the Panchs and Sarpanchs to vote in favour of coalition candidates in the State for strengthening the democracy.
Addressing the meetings of Sarpanchs and Panchs at various places in rural Jammu she said that Congress is committed to implementation of 73rd Amendment and empowerment of Panchayats in the state as has been announced in the party’s poll manifesto.
She cautioned them against the opposition parties’ malicious propaganda and said that Congress-NC has taken up many developmental projects in hand in the state while many others were completed during the last four year coalition rule.
Meeting of Panchs and Sarpanchs was also organised by Bimla Luthra, NC MLA at villages of Pandotrian, Waziroo Chak, Harsa Dabbar in block Bishnah. She made an appeal to Panchs and Sarpanchs to vote for Coalition nominated candidates in December 3 MLC elections under Panchayt quota.
She said holding of Panchayat elections was a notable achievement of the Coalition Government and assured the Panchs and Sarpanchs that return of coalition candidates will ensure effective implementation of Panchayti Raj system in the State.
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