Sadhotra calls for intensified grassroots mobilisation ahead of ULB, Panchayat Polls

• Gupta terms restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir imperative for lasting peace, development and stability in region

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President, Jammu, Rattan Lal Gupta, on Thursday called upon party cadres to intensify grassroots efforts to ensure a resounding victory in the forthcoming Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and Panchayat elections.

He was addressing a follow-up meeting of Block Presidents and Block Secretaries at the party’s Provincial Headquarters, Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, Jammu. Senior party leader and Additional General Secretary Ajay Sadhotra was also present on the occasion.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Provincial Secretary Jammu, District Presidents Chandar Mohan Sharma, Naresh Bittu and Subash Bhagat, YNC President Jammu Sardar Tejindar Pal Singh Aman, Labour Union President Nar Singh, and a large number of Block Presidents and party functionaries representing various wings of the organisation.

Addressing the gathering, Ajay Sadhotra highlighted the strong governance record of the Omar Abdullah-led elected government over the past 15 months. He said the government has taken decisive steps to restore people’s faith in democratic institutions, promote welfare-oriented policies, ensure equitable development and respond effectively to natural disasters.

Sadhotra underscored that Jammu was accorded equal representation in the Cabinet and that the restoration of the Darbar Move placed the region back on the path of balanced development. He urged party functionaries to take the achievements of the Omar Abdullah government to every doorstep and help people distinguish between the BJP’s hollow promises and divisive agenda, and the National Conference’s pro-poor and inclusive policies. He reiterated that the government enjoys a full five-year mandate and all commitments made in the party manifesto will be fulfilled.

In his address, Rattan Lal Gupta strongly advocated for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, terming it imperative for lasting peace, development and stability in the region. He urged the Union Government to honour its commitment and table the Statehood Restoration Bill in Parliament during the ongoing session.

Gupta said creating hurdles in the functioning of the Omar Abdullah-led government amounts to a grave disservice to the nation, asserting that the National Conference and its leadership have always stood firm for national unity, integrity and democratic values. “Strengthening the Omar Abdullah government is synonymous with strengthening the nation,” he added.

The Provincial President directed party functionaries to complete the formation of Ward and Panchayat Committees within one month and to further intensify the ongoing public outreach programmes to ensure the party’s success in the upcoming ULB and Panchayat elections

Among those who were present in the meeting included: Ayub Malik Provincial Secretary Jammu,  Abdul Gani Teli Chairman OBC Cell, Surjeet Singh Manhas Joint Secretary Jammu Province, Vikram Puri Chairman Trade and Industry, Ch. Shabir, Sardar Sewak Singh Vice Presidents District Jammu Urban, S. Gurnam Singh District Secretary Jammu Urban, Daljeet Sharma District President Jammu Rural “B” Women Wing, Kuldeep Kour District President Jammu Rural “A” Women Wing, Sahil Kerni District President Jammu Urban YNC, D.D Mehra District President Jammu Urban OBC Cell, Ramesh Kumar District President Jammu Urban SC Cell, Ashwani Charak Block President Jammu East, Dharminder Sharma Block  President Jammu West, S. Parvinder Singh  Block President Gandhi Nagar, Bahadur Lal Block President Bahu, Mohinder Singh Block President Kour, Madan Lal Block President Akhnoor, Sardar Harjeet Singh Block President Marh, Sham Lal Sadhotra Block President Bishnah, Veer  Singh Block President Pargwal, Rachapal Singh Block Secretary Bishnah, Devi Dyal Jogi Block Secretary Khour,Ved Parkash, Thoru Ram Block President Nagrota,Sandeep Manhas, Charanjeet Singh, Manga Ram, Vishabjeet Singh, Nitish Gowsami, Vishal Parihar Vice Presidents Jammu YNC, Zamir Quershi, Muzamil Malik, Rajesh Chadda , Arun Deep Singh, Rahan Sharma, Ashish Sharma,  Karan Mahajan, Gurmeet Singh, Gurdeep Wazir, Ashish, Shashi Kashap, Ravi Kumar, Karan Singh, Deepak Kumar, Prem Lal, Rakesh Kumar, Shakuntla Devi, Anita Devi, S. Pirthpal Singh, Manhor Lal Dalhotra, Joginder Singh Charak, Kuldeep Raj Thappa, Nadeem Choudhary and others.