National Conference Provincial President, Jammu, Devender Singh Rana Saturday asked the BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) to come clear on why it boycotted District Development Council (DDC) chairpersons and vice-chairpersons elections in J&K.
“Why did you boycott the process of democracy that you have been propagating all over the world as the restoration of democracy in J&K? You failed the democratic process by design. Since the BJP DDCs did not participate in three districts, it seems to be a political thought and political directive to boycott these elections,” Rana said addressing a news conference at National Conference headquarters here.
“When did you adopt boycott politics?” he said. “We should strengthen democracy. Powers comes and goes. NC never bothers about it. Democracy should be strengthened in J&K and we will strengthen it in future too.”
Rana said that his party had spoken to the State Election Commission of J&K and raised their concern.
“Rule says that two-third members should be present during the election process and it means 9 is complete quorum in case of 14 elected DDCs. And 9 DDCs were present in Rajouri and Kishtwar as per the rules and it was a proper quorum,” he said. “In Kishtwar and Rajouri districts, we sought order from the authorities. However, they adjourned the election process. We took up this issue with the State Election Commissioner and he sought judgments in such cases.”
Rana said they had a judgment of a division bench’s single judge of J&K High Court of Parshotam Singh versus PSC, 2004 and the division bench upheld the order of the single bench.
“What was the intention of the administration? Democracy has received a setback,” he said and demanded that the NC’s elected DDCs should be protected by the government and the administration.
“I am receiving repeated calls. Our people have conveyed to the local media and administration. Our members are being intimidated by the overenthusiastic government officials even after Lt Governor ManojSinha assured us that no one will be harassed. Their family members are being intimidated,” Rana said.
He said that the elections should be held with seriousness.
“We don’t want elections to be held on the pattern of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh,” Rana said.