Srinagar: Like National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Congress party on Wednesday also decided to stay away from Block Development Council (BDC) elections which are scheduled to be held on August 24. It blamed government and election commission that both are playing in the hands of ruling BJP which compelled other political parties to remain away from this ‘organized mess’.
Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Congress state chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir said that amid the restrictions on the movement of political parties in Jammu and Kashmir except BJP, it is ‘meaningless’ for Congress to be a part of BDC elections. He said, during a high level meet, it was decided that Congress will stay away from forthcoming Block Development Council (BDC) elections.
Mir said, “Though we wrote to central high command for further directions over BDC elections, but they gave us mandate to decide at your own. So we met yesterday in Jammu where ongoing situation of Jammu and Kashmir was discussed”, he told.
Congress chief added that “Modi led central government in New-Delhi ‘unconstitutionally’ and ‘unethically’ destroyed the status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into two Union Territories (UT’s)”.
He added “It is impossible to be a part of BDC elections amid detention of mainstream political leaders. Government has curtailed our movement and is trying to ensure single party rule in Jammu and Kashmir”.
Mir blamed government and Election Commission of facilitating BJP’s win in BDC elections. He said “Government and Election Commission are responsible for entire mess. Though we wrote to EC to facilitate our movement across Jammu and Kashmir, but they didn’t play any positive role”.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Mir stated “It was Congress party who recommended three-tier system in consolidating the Panchayati Raj System in Jammu and Kashmir but today we are being thrown out from the system by restricted us under four walls”.
He said, “Government and EC are playing in the hands of BJP, so our participation in BDC elections is meaningless”.
When asked about why Congress leaving space for BJP in forthcoming elections, Mir said “It is only ruling party (BJP) who is taking part in BDC elections. This has become a blot on democratic process and a big joke with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mir told KNS that this anarchy will impact serious repercussions at international level and government and election commission will be directly responsible for this mess. (KNS)
