VIJAYPUR, Sep 1: Provincial President of J&K Apni Party, S. Manjit Singh, today came down heavily on National Conference (NC) President Dr. Farooq Abdullah over his reported statement that Panchayat and District Development Council (DDC) elections should not be held until statehood is restored in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh was addressing public meeting in Vijaypur accompanied by spokesperson Adv Sahil Bharti.
Manjit Singh termed the statement unfortunate and politically motivated, saying that linking grassroots democratic elections with restoration of statehood amounts to keeping the people away from their elected local representatives.He said that Panchayats and DDCs constitute the foundation of democratic governance and their elections should be conducted in accordance with the constitutional and legal framework prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be deprived of grassroots democracy on the pretext of statehood. Statehood is an important issue, but Panchayat and DDC elections are equally important for ensuring representation, development and accountability at the local level,” Manjit Singh said.Questioning the rationale behind the NC’s position, the Apni Party leader asked why the National Conference contested the Assembly elections under the existing Union Territory arrangement if it now believes that elections cannot be held before restoration of statehood.
He said the NC was fully aware of the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir when it sought votes from the people and subsequently formed the government.“The same UT framework under which the NC contested the Assembly elections and formed the government cannot suddenly become unsuitable when it comes to Panchayat and DDC elections. The people deserve an honest explanation for this double standard,” he remarked.
Manjit Singh said that the National Conference should concentrate on fulfilling the commitments it made to the electorate instead of creating fresh excuses for postponing local elections.He observed that the absence of elected Panchayats and DDCs would adversely affect grassroots development, public participation and the ability of rural communities to effectively raise their concerns before the administration.
The Apni Party Provincial President said that Panchayat and DDC institutions are not merely political bodies but important mechanisms through which development priorities are identified and local issues are taken up in a structured manner.He said that elected representatives at the village and district levels provide a direct link between the people and the administration, particularly in rural areas.
“When there are no elected local bodies, ordinary people are the ones who suffer. Development priorities become disconnected from ground realities and accountability becomes weaker. This is why Panchayat and DDC elections should not be held hostage to political arguments over statehood,” he said.Manjit Singh further alleged that the NC government was attempting to divert public attention from issues concerning governance and the unfulfilled promises made during the Assembly elections.
He said that instead of repeatedly shifting responsibility, the government should come before the people with a clear roadmap for fulfilling its commitments and strengthening democratic institutions.The Apni Party leader said that if the NC genuinely believes that democratic elections cannot be conducted until statehood is restored, then its leadership should explain why it accepted an electoral mandate and formed the government under the present constitutional arrangement.
“If the argument is that elections have no meaning without statehood, then the NC must answer why it participated in the Assembly elections and why it formed the government under the same arrangement. Democracy cannot be convenient at one level and inconvenient at another,” Manjit Singh said.He maintained that restoration of statehood and strengthening of grassroots democracy should move simultaneously rather than being presented as mutually exclusive objectives.
Manjit Singh also urged the government and concerned authorities to initiate the electoral process without further delay and ensure that people in villages and districts get an opportunity to elect their representatives.Manjit Singh demanded that the government announce a clear timeline for Panchayat and DDC elections and complete all necessary preparations at the earliest.He said that Jammu and Kashmir needs stronger democratic institutions, responsive administration and greater public participation, particularly at the grassroots.
“The people have waited long enough. Panchayat and DDC elections should be held at the earliest. Political parties may have their differences, but democratic institutions and the rights of the people must remain above partisan interests,” he asserted.Manjit Singh appealed to all political parties to support the strengthening of grassroots democracy and ensure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are not deprived of their right to choose their local representatives.