MLC election: ‘Why vote for a party that is destabilising local bodies of governance?’

Congress alleges that the BJP is against decentralisation of power

Terming BJP a party against decentralisation of power, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) spokesperson Priyank Kharge appealed to voters of local bodies’ constituency of the Legislative Council to defeat the BJP that had been doing everything to undermine local bodies of governance such as municipalities in urban areas and panchayats in rural areas.

“It was due to the Congress government at the Centre that, through the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution, the local bodies of governance had come into existence as a means to empower marginalised and unprivileged sections by involving them in the decision-making process. The Panchayat Raj Institutions and the urban local bodies have since then brought about a tremendous positive transformation in the lives of these oppressed sections. It should not be forgotten that BJP parliamentarian Rama Jois had challenged the constitutional amendments and certain sections of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, that had made provisions to reserve 84% of the seats in panchayats and municipalities for Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and women,” Mr. Priyank told mediapersons at the Congress office in Kalaburagi on December 7.