KL Report
Jammu
Blaming Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) for forcing the ruling National Conference to cancel the BDC elections and its ‘dual’ policy over implementation of the 73rd Amendment, elected panchayat members on Wednesday in Jammu gave a thirty day ultimatum to the state government. The members threatened agitation if the dates for the second tire of Panchayat elections are not announced within the stipulated time.
“JKPCC has backstabbed us. We were assured implementation of 73rd amendment at the cost of cancellation of Block Development Council (BDC) polls but there was no circular issued and the elections were cancelled,” Shafi Mir, convener, All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Coordination Committee, told reporters in Jammu.
“I was called by Jammu and Kashmir health minister Sham Lal Sharma on October 12 regarding the BDC polls but we have been deceived,” alleged Mir.
The Cabinet on Monday cancelled the BDC polls after both the coalition partners reached on consensus.
“It is Congress that forced the ruling National Conference government to cancel the elections,” he said, adding that the government should announce fresh date for polls.
The Convener said the government should announce fresh date of BDC elections in one month’s time, otherwise Panchs and Sarpanches would go on agitation.
“The cancellation of BDC polls has empowered the anti-national elements and in future, the state government will be responsible for killing of Panchayat members,” Mir added.
He, however, alleged that they have security threats from the top brass of politicians. “Despite threats, the issue of 73rd amendment and BDC polls will not get buried,” he added.
The Panchayat members’ leader claimed that panchs and sarpanches would play a crucial role in the 2014 Assembly polls.
