Rahul has backtracked on J&K panchayats issue: BJP

Jammu, Oct 6:

on Friday, Oct 5 criticised

for his remark on the Panchayati Raj system in Jammu and Kashmir being a model for the rest of the nation, and accused the

general secretary of "backtracking" on his assurance over strengthening the village-level institutions.

"Rahul Gandhi has completely forgotten as to what was stated by the delegation of Sarpanches and his state president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz in respect of implementing 73rd & 74th constitutional amendments in J&K," state BJP general secretary Satish Sharma said.

After raising questions on it, Gandhi had yesterday said the model of Panchayati Raj followed in the state "is going to set an example for the entire nation."

Gandhi had backtracked on his assurance to the delegation that he would discuss the issue once in the state, and demoralised them, Sharma alleged.

PTI