PAGD, Congress to contest DDC elections

SRINAGAR — People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) today said that they will contest the upcoming first District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration in its maiden meeting in Jammu has unanimously decided to fight the DDC elections unitedly. PAGD spokesperson Sajad Lone confirmed the development.

“Despite the abruptness of the DDC elections in terms of timing, it is important that this sacred space in democracy is not allowed to be invaded and marauded by divisive forces,” Lone said.

Lone, who was accompanied by other PAGD leaders, said that all the modalities and new administrative rules will be looked into and the Alliance president Dr Farooq Abdullah will declare the names of contestants.

Seven mainstream parties of Jammu and Kashmir, including the PDP and the National Conference, formed the alliance for the restoration of special status.

The JKPCC president Ghulam Muhammad Mir said in Jammu that the party will take part in the upcoming District Development Council (DDC) elections to fight against the “unconstitutional” policies of the BJP through the power of the ballot.

Elections to the DDCs and vacant posts of Sarpanch and Panch will be held in eight phases from December 1 to December 24, according to a notification issued by the State Election Commission on Friday.

“The Congress with an open heart is going to put up its best candidates for the upcoming DDC elections to fight the wrong and unconstitutional policies of the BJP which has left the people of Jammu and Kashmir unhappy,” Mir said.

He said mainstream parties that are demanding the restoration of special status of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir are not against the country or its people but their “fight is against the wrong policies” of the BJP.

On the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), he said, “If there is an alliance of regional parties, opposing the wrong policies of the BJP government at the Centre, it is a welcome step. The basic demand of the alliance is the same for which the Congress is protesting for the last 15 months,” he said.

However, he said a recent remark by a leader of the alliance was not in good taste.