PDP luring Panchayat members through money power:- Omar Abdullah

Beigh Shamim Ahmed :- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today accused opposition PDP of luring Panchayat members through various tactics and money power, ahead of polls to four seats of Legislative Council from Panchayat quota scheduled for next month."PDP leadership is luring Panchayat members through various tactics and money power. Women Panchayat members are reportedly being presented make-up kits to tempt them to vote for PDP candidates," Abdullah said while addressing Panches and Sarpanches in Ganderbal, his home constituency, in central Kashmir.He alleged that the PDP leadership was using "undemocratic, illegal and enticing devises" to gain support of "They (PDP leaders) should understand that the Panchayat members are reputed social activists of high stature and honesty, and cannot be drawn in through such mundane and disgraceful methods," he said.The working president of NC said Sarpanches and Panches would teach PDP a befitting lesson for considering them "saleable".Seeking support of the Panches and Sarpanches in the upcoming polls, Abdullah said voting in favour of NC-Congress candidates is in fact voting to strengthen Panchayat Raj system in the state."NC-Congress coalition represents the voice of people of Jammu and Kashmir and rendering public service equitably and holistically is political agenda of both parties."The coalition government created Panchayats to shift the centre of power from secretariat to grass roots level and help involvement of public representatives at Panchayat level to participate in policy formulation and implementation of development schemes in accordance with public requirements," he said.The chief minister said in a state like Jammu and Kashmir, where 70 per cent population resides in villages,comprehensive development is attainable through Panchayats only."This is our belief and we held elections to Panchayats after a gap of over 30 years," he said.