Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Feb 9: Seeking support of the people to uproot the dispensation headed by the National Conference, patron of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that forthcoming Lok Sabha elections would be the first stage of PDP’s crusade to set up a new system of justice and equality in J&K.
Addressing an impressive public meeting at Kathua, Mufti regretted that since its formation the National Conference coalition regime has systematically dismantled democratic institutions in the State thus depriving people of their democratic rights.
Ridiculing claims of the Government to take some steps to “strengthening” Panchayat Raj Institutions in the State, Mufti said that such cosmetic steps were taken too late. “Panchayat elections in the State were held in the year 2011 but for the last three years nothing has been done to make Panchayats vibrant in J&K”, he said and observed that when tenure of the present Government was almost over this regime has been taking some cosmetic steps at its fag end only to befool the people.
“This regime had conducted Panchayati elections only to get grants which were blocked by the Centre for not conducting Panchayati elections in the State. Trickling down powers at village level to strengthen grass root democracy was never aim of this regime,” he said, adding, “the way this Government created hurdles in the elections of the Block Development Councils (BDCs) and District Development Councils (DDCs) is a clear indication that regime is not interested to decentralize powers”.
Taking State Government to task for its failure to conduct civic bodies elections which were due in February 2010, he said that during the last five years Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing deliberate and overt attempt to irrevocably subvert democratic institutions.
Reiterating resolve of his party to address aspirations of all regions and sub-regions of the State, he said that agenda of the party was prepared by accommodating wishes of all regions and sub-regions of the State. “Only PDP has potential to provide credible alternative of National Conference because this party during its tenure in the Government and as well as in opposition has proved how to address aspirations of the people”, he said and urged people of Jammu region to repose their faith in PDP for political empowerment and balanced economic growth
Trilok Singh Bajwa, Arshad Malik, Yash Pal Sharma, Mehboob Iqbal, Maj General (Retd) R S Jamwal, Deepinder Kour, Haji Taj Khan, Capt Anil Gour, Rafiq Malik, Dr Harmesh Singh Slathia and others also spoke on the occasion.
Follow our WhatsApp channel