Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Dec, 09
Former Minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla on Sunday said that the Congress has offered supreme sacrifices for the honor and dignity of the country and that the party draws its strength from the people. Addressing elected Sarpanchs and Panchs who are prominent workers of party Bhalla said that he anticipates that they will work to strengthen party at grass roots with development of their respective areas. Congress not only gave Panchayati Raj Act to State, but also provided decentralized Administration by creating District Development Boards in each District Headquarter of the State. Congress ensured people a Govt which was ‘by the people, for the people, of the people.’ It is because of these historic measures, J&K over last seven decades or so, has been transformed from impoverished serfdom to a truly welfare State, wherein basic amenities and equal opportunities are available for all without any discrimination whatsoever. Had blunders not been made by previous BJP-PDP Govt in shape of political intrigues and cheating, things would not have been what they are today, Bhalla added.
Bhalla claimed that Congress is wedded to peoples welfare and will continue to strive tirelessly to better their lives and towards achieving the goal of peace, prosperity, communal harmony and friendship in J&K state. Holding BJP and PDP government responsible for all miseries in Jammu and Kashmir, Bhalla accused previous state government responsible of weakening democratic institutions in the state of Jammu and Kashmir due to which the people have lost interest in such institutions. Bhalla accused both BJP-PDP of demolishing peace of the state by exploiting the regional, religious and political sentiments of the people .
However, both these parties took complete U-turn after taking over the power due to which the people of the state have completely lost their faith in democratic exercise and institutions. He said in 2011 Panchayat elections, 90% people had voted for this democratic institution which indicates that people had lot of expectations from such local governing institutions, however, when this institution was not empowered people lost their faith in it. However, he said that they will continue their fight for the restoration of this institution saying that this is not political but a community institution which was established by our elders’ centuries ago.
Bhalla said, while in opposition both BJP and PDP were advocating for the empowerment of PRIs in the state. Surprisingly both coalition partners in order to gain political mileage undermined the authority of PRIs, which is highly condemnable. Stating that the Congress launched a struggle in this regard, Bhalla said that it is ultimately the State Panchayat Raj laws were amended by previous NC-Congress Govt. to incorporate the provisions of 73rd amendment which was passed in the state legislature and it received the assent of the Governor and published in Govt. gazette on 14th March 2014. People might do politics over these elections but a man living in some remote rural area of our state voted just to ensure he gets better roads, power and water. We need such institutions so that we run our internal administration. Former Minister asked the people to support Congress for prestige, dignity and self respect. Congress is committed to the equitable development of all three regions of J&K and in the forthcoming Assembly elections, Congress would emerge with thumping majority to form the next Government in the State to serve the people,” Bhalla stated.
If Congress party is voted to power again, a new phase of development will start in the J&K particularly in Gandhi Nagar constituency as the party gives priority to the prosperity and development of the three regions of the State-Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh”, he asserted. The former Minister said that Congress party leaders were successful in raking up important issues related to down trodden people especially Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and all these issues will be settled on priority basis after the formation of the next Government in the State. He exhorted the party workers to make people aware about the peace, prosperity and secular policies of the Congress, so that the communal forces, who are trying to create a wedge between communities, are given befitting reply in the forthcoming Assembly elections. Urging Party workers to reach out to the people for resolution of the issues confronting them, Bhalla described the Congress Party as an instrument of service, duty bound to seek resolution of the issues confronting people. BJP failed to answer questions lurking in the minds of Jammu people over the total surrender of BJP during its coalition government with PDP and bartering the interests of Jammu region for the sake of power,” Bhalla said. He said it is the BJP’s style to remain glued to the chair for over three-and-half years with PDP, and now has the cheeks to shift the blame solely to PDP and escape the entire responsibility, under the slogan of patriotism, commitment of ending injustice to Jammu.
Bhalla described Congress Party as an instrument of service to the people, which has remained dedicated to the cause of serving the people. He said Congress party believes in strengthening the people and is committed to equitable development of the State. He said Congress Party is duty bound to address the urges and aspirations of the people, for the fact, it is the Congress Party alone which has always taken care of the urges and aspirations of the people. On this occasion he felt confident that people of the Country and State have realized that it is the Congress Party alone which has served them (people) best and he felt confident that Congress Party being an all-weather friend of the people would continue to strive hard for the overall development of the State and people. Congress has been pioneer in implementing revolutionary programmes aimed at improving the conditions of the people, especially those living in remote and backward areas, he added. Bhalla described previous PDP-BJP dispensation as anti-poor and anti development, saying due to administrative inertia and lack of political direction the sufferings of the people increased manifold. The insensitive coalition government pushed people to the wall, as unemployment has increased, prices have risen and developmental activities have suffered a huge dent”, he added.
