The Congress vice president will reach Srinagar in Kashmir valley later in the evening today
JAMMU: Rahul Gandhi today faced a heckler as he addressed a gathering of village leaders, after arriving in Jammu and Kashmir on a two-day visit.
The Congress vice president was speaking about the empowerment of Sarpanchs and Panchs, when he was interrupted.
“We are elected but we have no powers. The state government did not give us anything,” a Panch from the crowd shouted at Mr Gandhi, complaining that “no one listens to Panchs”.
The Congress leader paused in the middle of his speech to respond to the heckler. He said, “I have come here to listen to you. Why would I have come here if I did not want to listen to you?”
The “Panchs” and “Sarpanchs” were elected three years ago in Panchayat elections held after a gap of more than three decades in the state lacerated by militancy.
But they have since been struggling for their rights, demanding more powers for local governance, amid constant threats from militants.
“Many of our Sarpanches were killed by militants. No Sarpanch was given security but an MLA has been given the security of 50 guards. They did not let our voice reach Rahul Gandhi,” said Parikshit Singh, a Sarpanch.
Rahul Gandhi said to these leaders today, “Your future is most important to me. I will keep coming here and continue to fight for your rights till you get your dues.”
Mr Gandhi is being accompanied by Congress general secretary Ambika Soni, Union Minister Jairam Ramesh and party press in-charge Ajay Makhan.
The Congress vice president will reach Srinagar in Kashmir valley later in the evening today.
He will inaugurate a controlled-atmosphere fruit storage facility in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district and will address a women’s self-help initiative in central Badgam district Thursday.
