Satish Sharma demands Municipal, Panchayat elections soon
Jammu, Mar 27: Former Chairman of the Jammu Municipal Corporation and General Secretary of the State Congress Committee, Satish Sharma on Thursday expressed deep discontent with the current local governance.
In a statement issued here, Sharman urged the government to announce Municipal Body and Panchayat elections as soon as possible, citing stalled development projects and a lack of attention from elected MLAs.
He criticised the local MLAs elected to the Assembly last year, claiming they have prioritised their party agendas over pressing issues such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, electricity and water supply. “The people of Jammu have lost hope in their MLAs, and now they look to elected councillors, panch, and sarpanch for support,” he said.
During his visit to several areas, including Gangyal Ward 56, Ekta Vihar, Bavliana, Bandhurkh, Langar, Shanti Nagar, Dashmesh Nagar and Dadap in the RS Pura Jammu South Assembly constituency, Sharma highlighted numerous unresolved issues affecting residents. He said that many roads remain broken or incomplete, and children’s parks constructed during his administration have fallen into disrepair. “Swings are broken, lights are out, and cleanliness is not maintained. Around 80% of streetlights in the lanes are non-functional,” he lamented.
The Congress leader criticised the MLAs and government officials for their apparent neglect of the community’s needs, claiming they are more focused on defending their party than serving their constituents. He warned that if this approach persists, voters may reject these representatives in future elections.
Demanding immediate action, Sharma called for the immediate scheduling of municipal and panchayat elections, saying that local representatives are crucial for addressing citizens’ issues and providing relief from bureaucratic hurdles.
