Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 20: Former Minister and MLA Raipur-Domana, Bali Bhagat today alleged that Kashmir centric parties are responsible for depriving people of J&K of their legitimate democratic rights.
“It is a historical fact that National Conference (NC) is notorious for undermining sanctity of democratic institutions in the State but it is very unfortunate that Congress and PDP are also playing dubious role as far strengthening of Panchayati Raj institutions or holding of civic bodies elections in the State is concerned”, Bhagat said while addressing series of public meetings in different parts of Raipur-Domana constituency.
“It is unfortunate that NC and PDP are acting as stumbling blocks in decentralizing power at grass root level but role of Congress party is also not worth praise worthy as far strengthening of local self Government in J&K is concerned”, he said.
Referring towards repeatedly statements being given by the Congress leaders on 73rd and 74th amendments in public, Bhagat said that failure of the previous NC-Congress Government to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions in the State is 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, their Government from 2008 to 2014 would have taken some concrete steps in this regard,” he maintained.
He further said that there was no reason to boycott elections because both NC and PDP had already participated in the recently held elections of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil.
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