Rahul Gandhi speaks at Panchayat leaders meet at Jammu stresses for more powers to local body leaders

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi began his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from Wednesday by addressing a panchayat leaders’ conference at Jammu. Speaking to a gathering of panchayat members and sarpanches, Rahul Gandhi said in the present political environment, local leaders need to be empowered. “In 21st century politics, the local leaders need to be empowered” asserted the Congress Vice President. “If the situations need to change in J&K, we need to give power and responsibilities to our Sarpanches and local bodies” he added. “If we want to change J&K we should focus on two-three factors. The local leaders need to be empowered; youth need to be given proper skill development training and employment; and finally the women in J&K, who are our backbone, have to be helped” explained Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi struck a chord with the participants in the conference by saying “We have a government supported by us and we will fight for the rights of the people. We will implement 73rd, 74th Amendment here. You will get your rights, I will fight for you. I will keep coming here till you get your rights” and the gathering greeted it with loud applauds. “Whatever we are doing in the rest of the states, we want to do that in J&K. Food security Bill, land acquisition bill and Panchayati raj need to be implemented in J&K also like in any other state,” commented the Congress leader.