New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday called for early elections to local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the need for reinvigorating peaceful political activity on the ground to enhance popular participation in governance.
‘I believe that local body elections should be held early to increase peoples’ participation in democratic governance and to ensure political empowerment at the grassroots level,’ said Manmohan Singh in a televised speech in Urdu.
This was his first statement on the troubled situation in the Valley since clashes broke out on June 11, killing 50 people.
Calling for a new beginning, the prime minister said his government was fully supportive of efforts made by the state govetnment to renew contact with the people.
‘I believe that all of you have the solemn duty of reaching out to the people and reinvigorating peaceful political activity on the ground, which is lacking today,’ he said.
The prime minister also called for activating of the youth wings of political parties that he hoped will help address legitimate aspirations of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
