Budgam voters cast ballot for jobs, development

Budgam, Sep 25: Voters in Budgam district of central Kashmir turned out in large numbers on Wednesday to cast their ballots during the second phase of the assembly elections, with many citing rights, unemployment, inflation, and the need for development as the driving forces behind their participation.

The four constituencies of Beerwah, Chadoora, Budgam, and Khan Sahib saw a strong voter turnout, reflecting the public’s desire for positive change in the region.

“I am here to vote for our basic rights and to have our voices heard,” said Mohammad Ashraf Dar, a resident of Beerwah, standing in a long queue outside a polling station. “For years, we have been ignored. We need representatives who will genuinely work for us, especially on issues like unemployment and infrastructure development.”

In Chadoora, youth unemployment was a major concern among the voters. “I have a postgraduate degree, but I am still jobless. We need a government that prioritises creating job opportunities for the youth,” said Arif Ahmad, a 25-year-old first-time voter. “My vote is for a candidate who has a clear plan to tackle unemployment.”

Women voters were also vocal about their concerns, particularly regarding inflation and the rising cost of essential goods. “It is getting harder to manage household expenses with prices of everything skyrocketing,” said Ruksana Begum , a homemaker from Budgam town. “We need leaders who understand our struggles and will work to bring down inflation.”

Development was another critical issue for voters in the district. “Budgam lags behind other districts in terms of infrastructure. Our roads are in poor condition, healthcare facilities are inadequate, and there is a lack of basic amenities,” said Bashir Ahmad Kumhar , a retired school teacher from Khan Sahib. “We are voting for change. We want development and better facilities.”

The elections in Budgam have also seen a diverse range of candidates, with many new faces entering the political arena. “This time, we have more choices, and that is a good sign,” said Shabir Ahmad Mir, a shopkeeper in Chadoora. “I am voting for someone who is not part of the old political setup but has fresh ideas and a vision for our future.”

Polling was generally peaceful across the district, with voters expressing their enthusiasm for participating in the democratic process, despite harvesting on. “This is our chance to make our voices heard, and I am happy to see so many people, especially the youth, coming out to vote,” said Zahida Begum, a schoolteacher from Budgam town. “We are hopeful that our votes will lead to positive changes.”

Despite the enthusiasm, a section of voters were sceptical about whether the elections would bring real change. “We have been voting for years, but nothing seems to improve. We still lack basic facilities and employment opportunities,” said Ghulam Nabi Wani, an elderly voter from Beerwah. “I hope this time will be different, but we have been disappointed too many times.”

Many voters expressed their interest in the restoration of statehood and empowerment of elected representatives, as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the floor of Parliament.

They expressed optimism that the elections would lead to a return of democratic powers.

“We have been promised that statehood will be restored after the assembly elections. We are voting with the hope that this promise will be fulfilled,” said Ghulam Hassan Rather of Chadoora. “We want our elected representatives to have real powers to make decisions that impact our lives directly.”

“The Prime Minister and Home Minister have assured us that our rights will be restored. We are hopeful that after the elections, we will have a proper state government in place,” said a group of voters in the Sogam area of Budgam. “We need our leaders to have the authority to address our issues.”

“We want our representatives to have the power to make decisions, not just serve as figureheads,” said Bashir Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Char-e-Sharief . “Statehood is essential for real development and addressing unemployment and inflation.”