Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 15: Assailing politicization of the creation of new administrative units in Jammu and Kashmir, Provincial President National Conference Devender Singh Rana today made a strong plea for implementation of Dr Bloeria and Ganai panel reports at the earliest, saying this is the only course to take the administration to the door steps of people.
“Any attempt to derail or delay the process by the vested interests will be against against the legitimate interests of the people, who are yearning for immediate setting up of the administrative units at Patwar, Block, Niabat, Tehsil and Sub Divisional levels”, he maintained.
Immediately after being declared as Provincial President of the Jammu region amid chanting of slogans at National Conference Headquarters here this afternoon, Mr Rana said the people in general and the stake holders in particular are all rallying behind the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with the hope that his bold initiative will provide much needed succor and relief to a common man who has to suffer while seeking redressal to problems because of distance constraints.
Regretting the attempts being made by some political entities to create a regional wedge by describing the report as being biased, Mr Rana said these canards were mischievous as the reports emanating from the Cabinet Sub Committee clearly indicate that the report is balanced, just and reflective of peoples’ urges. “There is no scope for raising this bogey”, he added..
Senior NC leader and Minister for Planning and Development, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, in his capacity as Returning Officer for the elections, declared Devender Singh elected unopposed as the Provincial President. Former Minister Abdul Gani Malik and MLC Vijay Bakaya were Observers appointed by the party High Command.
Mr. Rana’s name was proposed by Harbans Singh, Surjeet Singh Slathia, Peer Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari, Aijaz Jan, Qazi Jalal ud-Din, besides 14 District Presidents, 133 Block Presidents. The Electoral College comprising of 2365 delegates raised their hands to unanimously elect him as the Provincial President.
Mr Rana took obstructionists head on for politicizing the issue of creation of administrative units in a vain bid to scuttle the process and warned that being the custodian of larger public interest National Conference will not allow their designs to succeed. “People want immediate implementation of the reports in toto and those trying to sabotage it were only exposing themselves”, he said while adding that clandestine efforts are being made by the vested interests to delay the implementation of these reports just because Omar Abdullah wants to satiate people’s aspirations.
Without naming any party, the Provincial President referred to road blocks being raised in the way of the Chief Minister in empowering the people in a big way besides ensuing inclusive development and hoped this handicap will end soon with the electorate giving a massive mandate to National Conference. He described 2014 as the year of National Conference and exuded confidence that the party will establish its premier credentials by registering massive victory in the Parliamentary and Assembly elections.
The Provincial President referred to the tall claims being made by various political outfits and said their dreams will not materialse as these are based on deceit and deception. The fundamental difference between NC and other political parties is that while the former contests elections to serve the people and safeguard their political and developmental aspirations, the latter just want to remain glued to power by hook and crook, he said. He cautioned the dream merchants to desist from bartering the interests of Jammu and Kashmir in pursuit of their lust for power.
The Provincial President also warned the power brokers not to undermine political understanding of people, saying they can read between the lines. “People of Jammu and Kashmir are politically matured and sagacious enough to make a distinction between friends and foes”, he said and added those hobnobbing communal elements can’t be the well wishers of the people.
Follow our WhatsApp channel