Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 18: Expressing surprise over the statement of BJP leadership seeking extension of 73rd and 74th amendments of the constitution of India to Local Bodies and Panchayats of the State in a press conference today, NPP chairman and former Minister Harsh Dev Singh said that it was yet another ludicrous chapter in the theatrical performance of the saffron brigade.
“Never did it occur to these leaders, while in power, to bring an amendment in the State Panchayati Raj Act over the subject despite being an equal partner in the erstwhile Govt,” said Harsh Dev adding that they had quite surprisingly once again become proactive supporters of Panchayats after loss of power.
They did not allow the Local Bodies elections to be held during three and a half years rule on one pretext or the other causing huge financial losses to the urban as well as Local Bodies of the State besides depriving the people at grass root level of their right of local self Govt, regretted Singh. And the very same leaders had overnight turned champions of the democratic decentralization on the eve of Panchayat elections said Singh taking a pot shot at the BJP.
“You can no longer befool the masses. They have seen your real face behind your deceptive facades. You not only usurped the powers of Local Bodies by denying such elections and centralizing all their powers in your own Govt but totally ignored the development of rural areas with large scale diversion of funds meant for rural poor. The most disappointing move was the amendment made by your Govt in PR Act providing for indirect elections for the post of Sarpanches. And now after losing power you are shamelessly vouching for extension of 73rd & 74th amendment to the state,” Mr Singh rued.
While appealing to the rural people to elect honest, committed and deserving candidates in Panchayats elections, Singh urged for maximum participation in such polls so as to give a befitting reply to anti- national elements who were giving repeated calls for poll boycott.
Rajiv Mahajan and Gagan Partap Singh, senior leaders of NPP also accompanied.
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