KL Report
JAMMU
Lambasting the present dispensation headed by National Conference for brazenly trampled democratic institutions in the state just to remain in power, patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Saturday said that Congress party was equally responsible for depriving people of Jammu and Kashmir of their legitimate democratic rights.
“It is a historical fact that the National Conference is notorious for undermining sanctity democratic institutions in the state,” Mufti said, while addressing a public meeting in Mishriwalla area of Raipur-Domana assembly segment, “but it is very unfortunate that Congress, which is part of the present government, is also playing dubious role as far strengthening of Panchayati Raj institutions or holding civic bodies elections in the state.”
The erstwhile chief minister of J&K said that National Conference is a “stumbling block” in decentralizing power at grass root level, but the role of Congress party is also not worth praising as far strengthening local self government in J&K is concerned.
Referring towards repeatedly statements being given by the Congress leaders on 73rdand 74th amendments in public, Mufti said that failure of the government to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions in the state was a clear indication that Congress leaders were giving statements only for public consumption but internally they were also not serious in strengthening democracy at grass root level.
“Had Congress leaders been serious in holding civic bodies elections or strengthen Panchayats, the government would have taken some concrete steps in this regard,” he said. “More than two years have been passed after completion of the Panchayat elections but till date government has failed to hold Block Development Councils (BDCs) elections. It is nothing, but a mockery of the democracy and blatant dishonour of the mandate of the people by those who are at the helm of the affairs.”
Dubbing present dispensation as synonymous of corruption and mis-governance, PDP patron said corruption, nepotism and arbitrariness have been the hallmark of this coalition regime.
“Depriving citizens of their democratic rights and eroding sanctity of democratic institutions were the only noticeable achievements of the four and half year tenure of present day state government,” he said.
PDP patron said that elections of urban local bodies including Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations were scheduled to be held in the month of February 2010 but the government has been postponing these elections with one or other excuse.
“Even in the Governor’s Address during the last budget session of the Assembly in the year 2012, the government has promised to conduct local bodies elections in the month of April 2012,” he recalled, adding, “the way government is hesitating to conduct these elections substantiate our apprehensions that this regime is not interested in conducting local bodies elections.”
