Former Union Minister and President Pradesh Congress Committee, Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz has expressed his gratitude to the party high command for reposing faith in him and electing him party head once again. He said he will try to come up to the expectations of the party high command and people of Jammu and Kashmir and accomplish the unfinished tasks ahead. Addressing a large gathering of Pradesh Youth Congress (PYC) activists here on his maiden visit to the winter capital after being elected as Party Chief, Prof. Soz said his first and foremost task will be to further strengthen the party and maintaining better coordination between organization and Government for achieving better results. He said coalitions have certain compulsions but Congress party will not compromise with its basic principles while maintaining the coalition dharma in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reiterating his commitment to bring 73rd and 74th amendment for empowerment of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the State, Prof. Soz said that Congress Party will continue to make its efforts to restore complete autonomy to the grass root institutions, adding that PRIs are the real institutions who can address the problems of the people in the rural areas. He said he has already raised the issue in the Coordination Committee but no consensus could be developed, however, he said he will again raise this issue in the Coordination Committee and convince the National Conference for amending the existing laws to pave way for the empowerment of PRIs. Urging the youth leaders to promote the Congress ideology at the grass root, the PCC Chief said that role of the youth Congress leaders will be made more vibrant in the Local Bodies/BDC/Assembly elections and they will get their due share in the seats.
He asked them to gear up for the local bodies elections which are round the corners. He asked the youth to maintain close coordination between the Government and people and spread the programmes and policies of the party at the grass root level. Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma while congratulating Prof. Soz for re-electing the Party Presient, said that the Party will witness new dimensions under his able leadership in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Congress party will do better in the next assembly elections with the active support of all sections of the society across the State. Describing the role of the youth leaders in strengthening the party as a vital tool, the Minister said that party will make full use of the potential of the youth in the next assembly and Local Bodies elections. He urged the party chief to ensure larger participation of youth in the decision making and in party affairs.
He said youth can contribute a lot in the State’s political set up and their energy would be used in a positive way. He stressed the need for preparing the second line of political leadership amongst the youth to strengthen the party. State Youth Congress President, Mr. Shah Nawaz Choudhary congratulated Prof. Soz for his new inning as Party Chief for Jammu and Kashmir and hoped that the party will further improve its base under his dynamic leadership. He urged the Party President to make the role of youth more vibrant in the next elections.
He assured the party chief that youth will redouble their efforts to strengthen the party base across the State and party will witness best results in the next elections in the State. He demanded implementation of 73rd amendment in the State Panchayati Raj Act to restore more powers to the panchayats for which the Sarpanchs are clamouring after the elections. Mr. Shah Nawaz Choudhary felicitated Prof. Soz on behalf of the Pradesh Youth Congress on the occasion. He presented him a memento and a shawl. Vice President, Pradesh Youth Congress, Mr. Pranav Shagotra and State Secretary, IYC, Mr. Abid Kashmiri also addressed the gathering. They welcomed Mr. Soz and expressed their gratitude to the party high command for electing a leader of integrity as Party chief once again.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included, Vice President, Pradesh Youth Congress, Mr. Pranav Shagotra, General Secretary, S. Manjit Singh Jatt, President, Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha segment, Mr. Satish Sharma and several leaders of Pradesh Youth Congress. Meanwhile, PCC president Prof. Saifuddin Soz called on the Governor Shri N. N.Vohra this evening at Raj Bhawan, today. Among other things, Prof. Soz apprised the Governor on congress party’s perception on various issues that are related to socio-economic and political development of the Jammu and Kashmir State.