No fear among panches: Soz

"Violence as an instrument for resolving issues has been rejected by the people of the state. There is no fear among panches and sarpanches," he told reporters here.

Soz said panchayat members are more popular among the masses than mainstream politicians.

The PCC president was addressing mediapersons after a convention of party functionaries held to devise a strategy for upcoming Legislative Council polls.

He said the party will do everything to strengthen the panchayat raj institutions in the state and "guaranteed" a monthly honorarium to their members.

"We are promise-bound to pay a monthly honorarium to panches and sarpanches. I guarantee them the state government will soon decide on that. I have even written to the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) and Jairam Ramesh (Union minister for Rural Development) and the government will also come up with an insurance cover for these members," Soz said.

He appealed to those panchayat members who have decided to boycott the elections to participate in the process.

"Boycott will serve no purpose. I appeal to them to take part in the polls. I have talked to some of these members and hope they will support us," Soz said.

On the election strategy, he said the party has formed a committee to hold discussions with coalition partner National Conference in this regard.

Soz also announced the party will bring out a paper in a few days on its stand for implementation of provisions of the 73th Amendment of the Constitution in the state.