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| Congress promises power to people | | Soz, Azad, Chavan unveil manifesto on poll eve | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Nov 16: The Congress today almost touched the National Conference agenda of Autonomy as it promised, in its election manifesto, devolution of more powers from centre to Jammu and Kashmir.
A day after campaigning had ended for 10 constituencies going to polls in first phase and barely a week has left for second phase of polling, the Congress leaders –PCC Chief Saif-ud-Din Soz, Union Minister Prithvi Raj Chavan and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad –released the party manifesto here this morning. The manifesto broadly dwelled around the political program envisaged in its 2002 manifesto as it also carried a detailed appraisal of achievements, particularly during the regime of Ghulam Nabi Azad as Chief Minister.
The manifesto said, “Congress remains fully committed to the comprehensive devolution of powers to the Jammu and Kashmir State so that people of the state would be free to realize their full potential. To this end, the Congress will strive to work with all democratic forces”. The party also outlined a program for decentralization of powers to the regions and sub-regions.
It may be mentioned here that devolution of powers to the state (from Center) is what exactly National Conference asks for in its Autonomy proposal. When asked, all three leaders, Soz, Chavan and Azad, skipped to explain as what exactly they meant from devolution of powers and instead that elaborated on further empowerment of the region.
The party has expressed faith that all the issues and disputes could be resolved through dialogue. The party has promised to “restructure the Constitution of the state into a federal set-up by setting up separate regional councils for Jammu and Kashmir.”
This could be furthered by “decentralization and devolution of powers to district and block level councils to ensure effective participation of people in the democratic system.”
Besides, the party has laid emphasis on setting up a delimitation commission to restructure the legislative assembly constituencies. The manifesto also speaks of consolidating the Panchayati Raj system.
Asked why was the manifesto’s release delayed, Azad said: “We have touched all these points during our election campaign though the manifesto has been released formally today.” |
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