Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 8: Peoples Conference (PC) chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajjad Gani Lone today castigated the political parties for boycotting the Municipal and Panchayat elections saying it exposes their double standards.
Lone while talking to reporters after casting his vote in Handwara said that the political parties have right not to participate in elections but should then give away perks. “The political parties have right not to participate in elections but the boycott and dissent remains half baked and farcical when the same political parties continue to occupy posts of Legislators and Parliamentarians and to enjoy the perks of office”, he said.
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Lone said that if they are serious about boycott the leaders of these parties should resign from their positions. “If they are really serious about boycott there are a host of better options available without impacting local governance. They can resign from their posts. They can refuse salary. They can boycott official accommodation. They can say a big no to security. Confining boycott selectively to grass root democracy is cruel. Stunting local body representation while having a different yardstick for Assembly and Parliament seats is hypocritical,” he said.
The PC leader said that he knows the disadvantage of boycott as his party has done it for 20 years. “My party has boycotted elections for more than 20 years in the past and the futility and disadvantages of boycott are well established – with the common people bearing the brunt of inadequate and lack of representation. Let them boycott for the next 25 years,” he said.
He said that the local body elections provide an opportunity to the people to elect representatives for their day to day local issues and decentralizes governance. “I wish all the candidates good luck and hope the new elected representatives serve the people with zeal and honesty”, he said.
While casting his vote, Lone said: “People voted for us. Now it’s our turn to cast our vote. These elections are for the betterment of the people. It is our basic right to choose a democratic team that would take care of our cities and towns. It strengths the democracy at the grassroots level”, he said.
“A local Ward representative is able to take into account local grievances more effectively. In these elections we have to vote for the people and I personally have cast my vote for the people and hope elected local representatives help in strengthening the media and modes of governance dispensation,” Lone said.
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