Srinagar, June 02 (Scoop News) – Senior Congress Leader, Former Minister and Member AICC Abdul Gani Vakil today said that the over-whelming response of the voters in the on-going Panchayat elections is a clear indication that people of Jammu and Kashmir believe in democratic setup and want to establish peace in the trouble torn state. Mr Vakil was addressing public meetings at Brandub, Wuhlutura and Shutluwa in District Baramulla
Mr. Vakil said that Panchayat polls results are endorsement of the pro-people agenda being propagated by Coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir with full support from UPA led central Government under the Chairmanship of Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
He said that people of J&K have appreciated the good developmental work done by the present Coalition Government with full blessings of Central Government.
He said that previous Congress regime led by Ghulam Nabi Azad has not only set an example of good governance but also started the reconciliation approach and started schemes like MGNREGA, PMGSY, RGGVY and many other schemes which helped in improving the life standard of poor populace of rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing his gratitude towards people for electing majority of the Congress Sarpanches and Panches in the State he said that Congress has emerged as premier political force in the State and promised to the newly elected Sarpanches and Panches that Government will provide them all possible help so that the developmental funds could benefit the people at grassroots level.
Vakil urged Sarpanches and Panches to work with dedication and sincerity to come up to the expectations of people, who have voted for them whole heartedly and leave no stone unturned in uprooting corruption in the State. He said establishment of Panchayat Raj system in the State would open vistas of development and people at lower levels to make decisions and monitor the works.
Mr. Vakil said Congress has always stood for strengthening of democratic institutions. He referred to the role of Late Shri. Rajiv Gandhi in this direction and said that National Conference-Congress coalition in the State would nurture these institutions to achieve the development targets in accordance with the people’s requirements. Vakil asked the party workers to strengthen the coalition and help in resolution of all political and development issues.
Regarding Kashmir issue Vakil said that Congress is open to accommodating all shades of public opinion for the resolution of vexed Kashmir issue. Internal confidence building measures initiated by UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh have helped in restoring confidence of commoners across Jammu and Kashmir in the democratic institutions of the country.
“Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi has envisioned Khushhaal Jammu and Kashmir which would be an inspiration for other states of the country. For her (Mrs. Gandhi), Jammu and Kashmir has to become a model state on all accounts,” asserted Mr. Vakil. He said that it is we (People of J&K) who have to change destiny of this nation. “It is sincerity of congress leadership because of which forces promoting regionalism have no audience either in Jammu or in Kashmir valley. We are committed to equitable development alongwith peaceful and respectable settlement of all pending issues,” added Mr. Vakil.
Besides others who addressed the gathering include Senior Congress Leader and MLC Haji Ali Mohammad Bhat, General Secretary J&K PCC Dr. Abdul Ahad Yatoo, Senior Congress Leader Ghulam Nabi Shah and Youth Congress Leader Altaf Ahmad Malik.