Party-based Panchayat system cause of violence, says KN Upreti

GANGTOK, 07 Nov: Former Minister and senior vice president Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee [SPCC], KN Upreti has raised concern over the incidence of violence in the recent Panchayat Election.
In a press release issued today, Mr Upreti has stated that, “It is unfortunate that even after the election, candidates and supporters are being attacked and the Govt. has failed to give protection. Rather supporters of the ruling party are themselves indulging in such violence which deserves condemnation”.
He has blamed “party based Panchayat system” to be the cause behind this and has expressed that the system should be changed back to the “party-less” system that was in place earlier.
Mr Upreti has further stated that the panchayat poll will now be followed by victimization of the Independent candidates and their supporters along with others who will be deprived of govt. benefits and schemes on the pretext of supporting Independent candidates.