Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 1: Terming the forthcoming Parliament elections as an historic opportunity before the people of Jammu and Kashmir to send credible representatives in the Lok Sabha, patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today sought support of the people to ensure victory of party nominees to vociferously raise issues of common masses in the Parliament. Mufti said that unlike other parts of the country, coming elections in J&K were not only an exercise to elect Lok Sabha members but to send trustworthy representatives in the Parliament, who would represent peoples' aspirations with sincerity and dedication.
Addressing a function which was organised by PDP leader Hamid Chowdhary to kick start election campaign for party candidate Yash Pal Sharma for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha segment, Mufti said that PDP has earned credibility and faith of the people due to its conviction and commitment. "We are contesting Lok Sabha elections to give voice to peoples' wishes and aspirations", he said, adding, "Like other parties our representatives would not maintain silence in Parliament over issues related to the State of Jammu and Kashmir".
Without naming any political parties, the PDP patron said that it was all due to the failure of our representatives that due attention was not given to the issues related to J&K in the Parliament. "PDP wants to send tested and credible representatives in the Parliament to take up peoples' issue with conviction and commitment", he said while introducing party nominee Yash Pal Sharma to the workers. He said that Sharma, a crusader of communal harmony and brotherhood, has set an example of credible leadership in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
Chiding Congress leadership for taking "tough" stand on the issue of empowering Panchayats in the State, Mufti dubbed this attitude of Congress party against National Conference as "shadow boxing" between two coalition partners to befool the people. He reminded the gathering that in the year 2005 while inaugurating Jammu-Udhampur rail link, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had raised the issue of 73rd amendment but the Congress party, despite in the power for nearly 11 years, has failed to take stand on this issue.
Pointing towards delay in strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions in J&K and conducting Urban Local Bodies elections, Mufti said that Congress party was equally responsible for depriving people of Jammu and Kashmir of their legitimate democratic rights.
Referring towards repeatedly statements being given by the Congress leaders on 73rd and 74th amendments in public, Mufti said that failure of the government to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions in the State was a clear indication that Congress leaders were giving statements only for public consumption but internally they were also not serious in strengthening democracy at grass root level. "Had Congress leaders been serious in holding civic bodies elections or strengthen Panchayats, the government would have taken some concrete steps in this regard", he observed and regretted that Congress leaders were indulged into double standard.
Speaking on the occasion, party candidate Yash Pal Sharma sought support of party workers and assured that he would work for betterment of people. He said that very soon aggressive campaign would be launched.
Trilok Singh Bajwa, Thakur Balbir Singh, Hamid Chowdhary, Shanti Devi, Fallail Singh, Hussain Ali Bafa, Rashid Malik, Jagjit Singh Jagga, R K Bali, Rajinder Singh Manhas, Surjeet Kour, Deepinder Kour, Susheela Jamwal, Anju Bhan, Ashok Jogi, Capt Anil Gour, Satpal Charak, Suresh Sharma, Gurdeep Singh Panday, E Peter, Geeta Thakur, Judge Hari Om Singh, Neeraj Vohra, Vikram Singh, Anju Bhan, Chatter Singh Saini, Haji Abdul Rashid, Ramesh Koul, Advocate Majid, Varinder Singh Sonu, Narinder Singh Raina, Daljit Singh Dicky, Vimal Sharma, Jatinder Bhat, Yashpal Sharma, Rafiq Malik , Digvijay Singh, Vijay Choudhary, Deepu Chib, Bhushan Dogra, Choudhary Chuni Lal, Som Nath and others also spoke on the occasion. |
