Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: Describing Panchayat and local bodies election a golden opportunity to teach lesson to BJP and PDP, former Minister and senior Congress leader Sham Lal Sharma said that it was a big opportunity for the party to make another new beginning.
Stating that grass-root level democratic institutions are pivotal for transformation of rural areas in terms of development, the Congress leader exhorted upon the cadre to gear up for upcoming Panchayati and Municipality elections.
Addressing one day convention of Block Congress delegates and active workers’ meeting at Akhnoor today, Sham Lal Sharma said that participation of youth and women is imperative for ensuring their effective involvement in decision making at local levels. He exuded confidence that the sagacious voters would elect dedicated and public spirited representatives who would change the rural scenario by their innovative ideas.
Accusing BJP PDP Government for bringing amendment with which the Sarpanches were to be elected by Panches, Sham said that it was nothing but murder of democracy for their own interest. In the past when Congress-NC Government was in power they never ever thought to work against the aspirations of the common masses.
“The Congress NC Government had tried to strengthen the Panchayati Raj in the State by passing the Bill in the Assembly as per the provisions of 73rd amendment”, he said, adding, it has been their endeavour to have transparency in the system.
Taking sharp dig on previous BJP PDP government Sham said that the BJP PDP remained in power for more than 40 months and now being out of power they are passing the buck on amongst each other. He also said that people of Jammu are now fed up with their petty politics and will teach them a lesson in forth coming elections.