Sarpanches disrupt Rahuls rally, Gandhi left in a huff Jammu, Nov. 06: The Congress Vice President, Mr. Rahul Gandhi today faced an embarrassment in a Panchyat Conference organized by the state Congress party in M.A. Stadium at Jammu when agitating Sarpaches and Panches raised the issue of non-devolution of powers to Panchayats on the pattern prevalent in the rest of the country. The disruption later spread when a large number of Sarpanches and Panches stood up and started raising the questions that their genuine demands have not been conveyed to Mr. Rahul Gandhi as they alleged that Mr. Gandhi continues to support Omar Abdullah government without compelling Omar Abdullah to introduce the provisions for devolution of powers to the Panchayats Rahul who tried to save the situation by reassuring the gathering that he would force the Chief Minister to accept the demands but it may take some times. Upset over the incident, the Congress leaders were seen panicky and pacifying the protesting members of Panchayts who while raising slogan in support of Rahul Gandhi were demanding him to act. Sensing the deteriorating situation infuriated Rahul finished his speech midway and left the venue in a huff. The JK PCC Saif-uddin-Soz and other leaders accompanying Rahul too left with him. Talking about Panchayati Raj institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today promised sarpanches that his party will fight for their rights and build pressure on the state government for it. Gandhis meeting with elected members of Panchayati Raj members also witnessed some drama when one of sarpanches interrupted him saying that they received nothing from the state government. Gandhi assured the sarpanches, about implementing the 73rd amendment. Highlighting right-based schemes like MNREGA, RTI and food security brought by UPA, he said these programmes cannot be implemented without Panchayati Raj and without sarpanches as in order to implement these programmes, the leadership should be in villages. If we have to change Jammu and Kashmir, then first of all we will have to empower the leaders of Panchayats and local bodies. There is no other way to empower you if you have to run this state because MLAS, MPs cannot do what you can do. They dont have the kind of knowledge about villages that you have, Gandhi said. The issue of incorporating 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution in the states Panchayati Raj Act has been a bone of contention between the two parties for some time. Gandhi also briefly touched on the issue of refugees in the state. Rahul said he discussed about the Right to Food with Omar. He also seems to have assured that Right to food would be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir and if there is any deficiency, they will fulfil it. The Congress Vice President also talked about the employment related training to youth and women in Jammu and Kashmir.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 07:29:07 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015