Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) on Thursday asked its workers and leaders to gear up for the much-awaited panchayat and local body polls elections in the union territory.
Addressing a gathering at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan here, senior party leaders reiterated the NC’s commitment towards grassroots democracy.
Currently, an elected government is in place in Jammu and Kashmir after over six years. The attention has shifted to holding the panchayat and urban local body (ULB) elections, which have been overdue in the region for the last six years.
Ajay Sadhotra, Additional General Secretary and former minister, urged party workers to step up preparations for the upcoming polls while claiming a “lack of development” under the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led administration. He also accused them of failing to address rural issues like inadequate infrastructure, poor road connectivity, and unreliable electricity.
“The BJP government’s neglect of rural areas speaks volumes about its governance shortcomings. The upcoming elections are an opportunity for people to choose leaders dedicated to their welfare,” Sadhotra said.
Provincial President of the JKNC in Jammu, Rattan Lal Gupta, expressed similar sentiments and slammed the failure of initiatives like “Back to Village” in resolving the issues faced by rural communities.
“JKNC has always stood for unity, progress, and the welfare of all sections of society. The upcoming elections will be a testament to our commitment to these ideals,” Gupta asserted.
Other senior leaders, including Abdul Gani Malik and Babu Ram, called for party unity and outreach to every voter, urging cadres to connect with the masses and address their concerns effectively.
The meeting, chaired by Chander Mohan Sharma, District President of Jammu Urban JKNC, was attended by a wide array of party stalwarts, including former ministers, MLAs, and district leaders.
More About Panchayat, ULB Polls
The panchayat and ULB polls are expected to take place in April and May in J&K, with all major parties, including the BJP, Congress, and local parties, including the ruling National Conference and the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), busy strategising to emerge victorious.
To recall, the NC and PDP did not participate in the last panchayat elections conducted in 2018 as they had made their participation conditional at the time, demanding assurance from the central government to "take effective steps to protect Article 35 A."
Separatist leaders, including then Hurriyat Chairman Syed Ali Geelani, had also called to boycott the panchayat elections, while the
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