BJP State Spokesperson Balbir Ram Rattan, while commenting on the demand by Congress leaders before Jammu & Kashmir Governor for early holding of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayat elections in the state, said that finally Congress has imitated the BJP stand on this important issue.
In a press statement, Balbir Ram Rattan said that BJP has always favoured the strengthening of democracy at the lowest level through Panchayats and ULBs and it continuously raised its voice for holding of the elections to these bodies. During 10 month rule of BJP as coalition partner in the State, the issue was on top agenda and the formal exercise for the same had been initiated on the insistence of party, which speaks of its real commitment and respect towards the democratic institutions.
“Now, when the initial preparations for these elections are in progress which indicates that the exercise is going to be undertaken positively, the Congress party in the state too has started talking for holding the same at earliest”, Balbir said and added that it is clear that Congress has finally imitated the BJP stand.
Balbir Ram Rattan said that the people are well aware of the past stand of Congress and its non seriousness towards strengthening the democracy at grass root levels. He said that the five year tenure of the last ULBs ended in 2010 and Congress was sharing power with NC from 2008 to 2014 but it did not deem it necessary to take serious view and hold the elections on time. “When it is out of power, Congress has suddenly realized the need to strengthen the democracy at grassroots level, while in power it never bothered to think about democracy and empowerment of democratic institutions”, said Balbir adding that the Congress cannot mislead the people for its dual stand on crucial matters which carry great significance.
The BJP Spokesperson said that the leaders of Congress may be day dreaming of winning these elections but the ground situation is totally against Congress and in favour of BJP. After losing Lok Sabha, Assembly and LAHDC elections, the Congress in particular, will again meet the same fate as the people are once again going to punish it for its negative role on sensitive issues like ULBs while it remained in government for six years.
