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| Issue of 'devolution of powers' one more flashpoint between allies | | NC MLAs reluctant to 'empowering' people on ground …? | | Early Times Report
Jammu, June 16: Even as the politics of posturing over rotational Chief Minister continues within coalition partners NC and Congress, the real issue that haunts and hangs like a sword is the devolution of powers to the newly elected panchayats upon completion of all the phases of the polls. While Congress is awaiting this 'commitment' to be fulfilled soon, NC is still reluctant to it for more than one reason.
Reliable sources said even though Congress has begun to initiate 'debate' on the issue of rotational Chief Minister, the statements coming from different directions over the matter from both the parties do not carry much weight as these are only meant for political consumption and posturing . "There is no question of rift or fissures widening over this issue between the coalition partners as the final call has to be taken by the Congress high command on this count", said a senior Congress leader.
However, sources said, differences are likely to be there and cracks can develop if ruling NC delays its empowerment of panchayats something which that was promised much ahead of conducting polls to Congress when latter remained adamant on fulfilling it on the pattern of Central Act much ahead of holding elections. Sources said even though Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar has reassured recently that this would be done soon after the culmination of polls in all the panchayats, NC, particularly its MLAs in various constituencies are now opposed to the idea of devolution of powers at the ground level as this would amount to losing their grip and authority in these panchayats. Since the party has not fared well in many panchayats in comparison to its opponents, devolution of powers at the ground level would snatch away political grip and authority, sources said.
Sources said taking into account all these factors, Congress is apprehensive that NC might delay this process which is why former has started exerting pressure on the alliance partner. Sources also said NC might take the pretext of elections in some panhayats in Kashmir valley have not been conducted and since the Act allows that process to be completed within next six months, but Congress is in no mood to accept delay on this count or any other reason. Congress is prioritizing this because it wants to consolidate its position on Local Bodies elections which would be conducted any time this year, sources added. As a pre emptive tactics to avoid delay on this front, Congress has now resorted to assert as major ally in the coalition.
The last phase of these polls will get over by June third week. But with elections over amid a record voter turnout, the Centre is also keen that the J&K government gets its act together on the promise of devolution of power. Interestingly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made a strong observation two days back on his twitter while referring to New Delhi's assertion this this count. " GOI should not convey its suggestions through media instead talk to J&K government directly……."Omar is reported to have made critical remark over some media reports in which Centre is said to have asked the government to ensure devolution of powers to newly elected members as early as possible.
Pertinent to mention here is that Jammu & Kashmir does have its own Panchayat Act but this is not at par with the 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution, which guarantee a set of far-reaching powers to panchayats across the country. In J&K's prevailing system, the local MLA is a very powerful arbiter of finances at the district and village levels.
Now that elections have taken place in J&K after over two decades, the expectations and aspirations have also gone up, with winning candidates enthusiastic about performing their roles and responsibilities. According to sources, the Centre is concerned that if this entire lot of newly elected representatives are not given the benefit of devolution, then a strong anti-government backlash could well be in store. With both ruling partners having dissent over this sensitive issue, it remains to be seen where it takes the coalition ties. |
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