Srinagar, March 11: The People's Democratic Party has expressed its dismay over an alleged concerted campaign of disempowerment, decimation of democratic institutions. A party statement said, it has revealed the scheming nature of babudom yearning to maintain the present status quo, which is skewed in their favour.

In a statement the party General Secretary G N Lone Hanjura said that the recent announcement of honorarium and warrant of precedence brings to fore the “apathy and derision” this government harbors for elected representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"It is amply clear that the rhetoric of empowering grassroots democratic institutions was a mere hogwash to be sold internationally. With the benefit of hindsight it looks like recent elections to District Development Councils were a mere exercise in futility, " Lone said.

Maintaining that People's democratic Party has always emphasized that peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue is dependent on the peace and dialogue between India and Pakistan, Hanjura, however, added that the PDP hopes the issue of DDC members is resolved at the earliest.

"It is heartening to see DDC members of both Jammu as well as Kashmir irrespective of party lines fighting for their rights together. The way this issue has brought Jammu and Srinagar together I eagerly hope India and Pakistan can also show maturity and bridge the islands of enmity, " Hanjura said.