Jahangeer Ganaie
Budgam, Sep 25 : In Budgam’s Badipora Nagam, within the Chaar-e-Shareef constituency, voters had gathered along two sides of the road outside a polling station, reflecting on the losses they have endured over the past decade.
Speaking to the news agency, voters expressed their desire for the return of “Purana Kashmir” (Old Kashmir), saying that conditions were improving until around 2015-2016. They lamented that any development in their area occurred before 2016, after which progress stalled.
Mubarak Ahmad, a voter, said, “Up until 2016, everything was going smoothly, and unemployment wasn’t a major issue. However, the situation has dramatically changed in the last eight years. We were content with the special status of J&K, which ensured that local jobs, land and resources were reserved for locals. That has been taken away undemocratically.”
He added, “We want our ‘Purana Kashmir’ back. ‘Naya Kashmir’ has remained confined to slogans, while the reality on the ground is different.”
The voters outside a polling station in Khansahib echoed similar views. They expressed their concerns about rising electricity bills, inflation, reduced ration supplies and a lack of employment opportunities that have heavily impacted the poor. “We are voting to reclaim what was taken from us in August 2019,” they said.
In Gundpora Beerwah, many young voters expressed frustration over being unemployed despite holding degrees. They said they are casting their votes in hopes of securing job opportunities.
Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a local, said, “People have only experienced disempowerment in the last five years. We need to restore the conditions of pre-2019 to address all our issues.”
He urged voters to support candidates who can genuinely advocate for their concerns in the assembly and address their issues.
