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| Senseless opposition of NC may prove a blessing in disguise | | Empowering Panchayats | | Neha
JAMMU, Sept 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his party are opposing tooth and nail the popular demand seeking empowerment of panchayats through the instrumentality of 73rd constitutional amendment that not only transfers some real powers to panchayat representatives but also places at their disposal the required funds needed for catering to the immediate local needs of the people. They are advancing spurious arguments. They are saying that Jammu and Kashmir enjoys a special status and that the adoption of and application of the 73rd constitutional amendment would mean erosion of the State's special status. Omar Abdullah explained the reasons behind his opposition to the demand in great details on September 26, when he addressed a press conference in Srinagar. That day, the under-attack Chief Minister not only opposed the demand but also attacked media, Congress, PDP, militants and Hurriyat leadership. Besides, he questioned the very legitimacy of elections vis-a-vis Kashmir issue.
The bitter opposition and highly negative attitude of Omar Abdullah and his outfit, which is known for its insatiable lust for power and pelf and anti-people policies, has created a novel situation in the State. It has united the entire opposition, which appears determined to corner the Government in the forthcoming session of the State legislature. The 10-day session is to start on October 1 in Srinagar. But more than that, his senseless opposition has brought the PDP and the Congress closer to each other to the extent that the latter has indicated its intention of supporting private member's bill on the issue. The PDP, which stands for self-rule and seeks rollback of all the Central Laws from the State extended to it after August 1953, has given everyone in the State to understand that it will take up the issue in a big way and introduce a bill in the Assembly seeking empowerment of panchayats. Patron of the PDP Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and PDP president and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Mehbooba Mufti have on several occasions took on the Chief Minister as well as the Congress on this issue and reiterated again and again that it stands on the application of 73rd Constitutional amendment.
The reported decision of the PDP that it will move a private member's bill on the issue and the report that the Congress will support it overlooking the fact that it has been sharing power with the NC constitutes a development of great import. In fact, the move, if fructified, would be one more step in the right direction. It will bridge some Constitutional and political gulf between the State and New Delhi. In other words, the opposition of Omar Abdullah and the NC will prove a blessing in disguise. Let's see how things shape in the coming days. The forthcoming session of State legislature is very crucial. |
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