Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Oct 6: Former minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla today termed it unfortunate to conduct Block Development Council (BDC) polls when there is no political activity in the State for over 60 days.
He said this while interacting with Panchayat members of District Poonch in connection with BDC polls. Mr Bhalla was accompanied by Ex MLC Jahangir Mir, Ex MLA Ch Mohd Akram, Distt President Ch Ghani, Youth State Vice President Ajaz Ch, Parveen Khan, Raiyaz Naz, Taj Mir, Gulzar Jatt, Noor Ahmed, Mohd Amim, Talib Hussain, Hazi Safif, Ch Nazir and Block President, Sarpanchs, Panchs and others.
The senior Congress leader expressed concern over political and security atmosphere in the State. He alleged that it was a mockery of democracy to hold BDC elections on the party basis when the majority of the opposition leaders were detained. He said that it would have been better to hold the proposed elections to Block Development Councils (BDCs) after the complete implementation of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution to ensure maximum participation of the people. “The constitution of BDCs will hold no meaning if these polls are conducted on the pattern of J&K Panchayati Act, 1989 without considering all provisions of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution,” he said.
However, at the same time, Mr Bhalla termed the upcoming BDC polls as crucial for strengthening democracy at grass-roots level in J&K and exhorted the party cadre to gear up for the big challenge for ensuring election of public spirited and honest representatives to the basic democratic institutions. He exuded confidence that the sagacious voters would elect dedicated and public spirited representatives who would change the rural scenario by their innovative ideas.
Bhalla said that Congress party would always remain steady on its principles of secularism and equality for all and equitable development of all regions of the State. He exhorted party workers to strengthen the booth units and gear up for all kinds of electoral battles in near future.
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