Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Apr 8: Accusing both the BJP and the Congress of using money and muscle power to manipulate the Lok Sabha elections in the State, NPP chairman and party candidate from Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat, Harsh Dev Singh regretted that Model Code of Conduct (MCC) imposed by the ECI only appeared as an eyewash while these parties brazenly violated its norms and guidelines in a contemptuous manner with no one to take action against them.
“The very essence of election campaign has been stigmatized by the illegal practices followed by these parties. Ruffians and goons associated with them intimidate the voters while the illicit money is used to buy votes to influence the elections,” Harsh Dev rued.
He was addressing series of public meetings in Sarni, Panjgrain, Mertha, Sherpur, Jakhbar, Bigwa, Muthi Jagir and Shiv Nagar segments of district Kathua of Udhampur Lok Sabha Parliamentary constituency.
Singh divulged that since both these political houses had failed to meet the aspirations of the people of Jammu region, they were now resorting to unethical ways to enchant the voters. “Hundreds of vehicles fitted with audio-visual aids and public address systems are plying in each constituency trumpeting the slogans of these parties to woo the people. Lakhs of rupees are being incurred in raising huge stages and temporary sheds at the rally venues. People are ferried in vehicles to the sites of public meetings to create a contrived audience,” he added.
Urging people not to get trapped by Central parties anymore, Singh said both Congress and the BJP were not the well wishers of the people. They are just power hungry. Once it is gained, they throw the public mandate to winds, Harsh said.
He asserted that NPP is the real party of the Dogras. “We have no resources, but we have leaders with fighting spirit. Test us, we vow to resonate your voice in the Lok Sabha. Don’t get swayed away by these giants. Vote for us. We will prove our worth. Remember, we alone could navigate the people of Jammu region who stood cheated and betrayed by these parties”, Harsh Dev maintained.