Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 23: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive member and party chief spokesman for Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Jitendra Singh, today held ruling National Conference (NC)-Congress coalition responsible for the killings of Panchs and Sarpanchs in Kashmir.
Dr Jitendra told a news conference in Srinagar that Panchs and Sarpanchs in Kashmir have become the victims of “double assault”. “They were deprived of the financial and administrative powers and Government also failed to provide them adequate security”, he said.
On killing of Panchayat members and depriving them of security, Singh said: “We have been advocating for this even before the Panchayat elections were held in the State three years ago, but our advice was not taken seriously.”
The BJP leader said that right from the beginning BJP has been advocating for the introduction of 73 and 74 Amendments of the Constitution in the State for the empowerment of the Panchayat members. He accused NC led Coalition Government of deliberately not implementing the 73 and 74 Amendments of the Constitution, to deprive them of financial empowerment.
Singh said that the Government was hesitant in empowering Panchayats as huge amount as Central grants would go straight to the Panchs and Sarpanchs, instead of routing through Ministers.
“It is strange that NC clamours for autonomy for itself, but cares little for granting autonomy to local bodies citing Article 370 as the reason for amendment. NC used Article 370 as an alibi to suit their convenience at the cost of the interests of common Kashmiri,” the BJP leader said.
Singh castigated NC and Congress for using “derogatory” language against BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi during the poll campaign and misusing the name of former BJP Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the campaign.
“Modi has proved during his 15 years of rule in Gujarat that he can lead the country on developmental front by offering Gujarat model of development, which was praised not only in India, but abroad as well,” said the BJP leader.
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