KL Report
SRINAGAR
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig has said one of the foremost challenges faced by the state is the revival of democratic and statutory institutions which have suffered serious erosion under the present government. Addressing a well attended day long convention of party workers from Batamaloo Constituency on Sunday he said the institution of Chief Minister as head of the executive would need a first attention as its prestige has been thoroughly compromised over recent years.
Baig said the state after witnessing destruction and political turmoil for many years had reposed its trust repeatedly in democratic process and had participated in elections to choose their representatives to various institutions like the parliament, state assembly, urban bodies and panchayats.” But, unfortunately the NC led government eroded their credibility and as a result even the chief minister of the state is not taken seriously by any one whether it is the common man , his cabinet colleagues or the government of India.”
Baig said, “The next elections will in a major way be about restoration of the institution of Chief Minister as not a mere occupant of a chair but as a leader of the state whose voice should matter and carry the weight that it deserves.”
Baig said during the past five years the state witnessed very depressing moments when even announcements about the imposition and lifting of curfew was announced by some officials from New Delhi. The state leaders remained engaged only in their personal survival and in the process made compromises on almost every issue that resulted in further disempowerment of the state and the ordinary citizen. “Even though the PDP could have legitimately sought the replacement of this government for its atrocities and failures but it desisted from it to give democratic process a full space and seek people’s support for changing the very system that throws up such callous and incompetent governments” said Baig.
Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, Mohammed Dilawar Mir, MLA Mansoor Hussain, Chief Spokesman Naeem Akhtar, Syed Mohd Altaf Bukhari, District President and MLC Mohd Ashraf Mir and several others were also present and spoke on this occasion.
