Srinagar March 03: Senior CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami criticized Home Minister’s remarks made during his virtual address to Kashmir Mahotsav organised by Indian Institute of Sustainability in Gujrat University.

In a statement, Tarigami said there is nothing to boast about Jammu and Kashmir, his assertions regarding holding of panchayat elections are in deep contrast to the facts.

He said moreover, similar elections are being held in rest of the country but people are not being deprived of the right to elect their assemblies.

“The Panchayat Raj Institutions could not be a substitute to assemblies, which are the only representative bodies in States and UTs empowered to legislate on public issues,” he said.

he added the legislature remains a crucial pillar of democracy in the federal structure, but unfortunately Centre has virtually demolished this pillar in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Even after completing the so called delimitation process and revision of electorates, the government has no temerity to hold assembly elections. Additionally, if J&K’s post abrogation situation is presented by the government as a model of democracy then who stops them to replicate it in Gujarat or other BJP ruled states,” he said.

Tarigami said it is unfortunate that Home Minister has ignored ballooning youth unemployment while beating trumpets about the start-up ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The growing unemployment has left thousands of educated youth distraught in this region. The unemployment rate in this region has touched a staggering 21.8 percent, which is the highest in the entire country. There is nothing for the Centre or Home Minister that needs to be shouted from the rooftops,” he said.