Candidates outline vision for J&K’s

Srinagar, Oct 7: The candidates who contested from various constituencies across Kashmir shared their vision for Jammu and Kashmir and its implementation once they were elected to the J&K Legislative Assembly.

As the voting is scheduled for October 8, 2024, most of the candidates are hopeful of getting the people's mandate and securing their entry into the Legislative Assembly.

For the majority of the leaders, restoring the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, addressing the growing unemployment crisis among youth, granting general amnesty, and formulation of a proper flood management system will be their top priorities.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, J&K Apni Party President Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari said his vision after being elected to the Legislative Assembly will be to work for Peace, Tranquility and Development in Jammu and Kashmir.

Notably, Altaf Bukhari, who contested the Assembly elections 2024 from the Channapora constituency of Srinagar district has remained vocal for general amnesty to the youth who have been booked years ago and are languishing in Jails within and outside Jammu and Kashmir. He has also voiced concern over the rising unemployment rate in J&K which has "pushed youth to the wall."

National Conference candidate from Eidgah constituency, Mubarak Gul while sharing his vision said that he will work for the restoration of the "Lost Glory" of J&K.

"My efforts will be to restore the glory of J&K which we have lost politically, and socially over these years. I will work to restore our identity," he said.

He said the conduct of Assembly elections was the first step of their struggle to fight for the rights snatched from the people.

The congress candidate from Bandipora constituency, Nizamuddin Bhat said that if elected to the Legislative Assembly, he will work on the lines which will bring satisfaction to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"My priority will remain to pitch for political concessions, and constitutional guarantees to the people of J&K besides seeking more funds for the development," he said.

Former Minister and the independent candidate from Uri constituency Taj Mohiuddin while sharing his vision with Greater Kashmir said that he will introduce a bill for providing jobs 90 percent of the jobs to the domiciles of J&K and another bill will be introduced to provide one kanal of land within city to outsiders who have spent 15 years in Jammu and Kashmir.

"I will introduce the bill but all this will be possible after restoration of the Statehood," he said.

Former bureaucrat and National Conference candidate from Gulmarg constituency Farooq Ahmad Shah said that his vision will be to work to employ the educated youth of Jammu and Kashmir besides focusing on the Power sector, Tourism, and Horticulture sectors which have huge potential in terms of revenue and employment generation.

"These departments should be the priority sectors with the government," Shah said.

He said that there was a dire need to frame a proper flood management programme which he said the previous government could not do during the past 10 years.

"Flood management programmes are a vital issue. We concentrate on construction of bridges and roads but flood management is equally important," he said.

Former Rajya Sabha Member and PDP candidate from Kupwara constituency said that once elected to the Legislative Assembly, he will pitch for the restoration of lost identity (Statehood) and rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"There are numerous issues related to youth which will be raised in the Assembly. Unemployment is a major concern as during the previous years, none of the recruitment drives was carried out transparently," Mir said.

Former MLA and NC candidate from Baramulla Assembly constituency Javid Hassan Baig while sharing his vision said that people of Jammu and Kashmir have felt a sense of defeat and betrayal.

He said his major focus will be to frame laws to regulate lavish marriages which have become a nuisance in society.

“There should be laws wherein the rich people should not create impediments for poor people to get their daughters married without any formalities," he said.

Baig said that his priority will be to raise his voice against rising substance abuse and will force the government to launch an operation on drugs. "Not only the drugs which come from across the border but the Grade II life-saving drugs supplied by medical stores. We have to launch a serious campaign against it," he said.

He said the government must work to put a check on pesticides supplied from companies outside J&K and serious efforts need to be made to reduce the crime rate.

"Another major concern is corruption which has got the acceptability in every sector. This should end," he said.

Javid Hassan Baig said the new government should frame plans for saving water bodies, and afforestation and link education with technical education to create more job opportunities for youth.

Independent candidate from Bandipora Assembly constituency Usman Majid while sharing his vision said that he will pitch for the development of his constituency on priority.

"I have to fulfil promises which I have shared in my manifesto. Will pitch for a railway line from Srinagar to Bandipora and four-laning of Srinagar-Bandipora highway. My focus will be to overhaul the health sector and make the education sector better," he said. Usman Majid said he would work on all these issues simultaneously.

Former Minister and NC candidate from Khanyar constituency Ali Muhammad Sagar said the basic priority will be to fulfil the promises made in the party manifesto including free units of electricity.

"J&K is facing a deep crisis and the circumstances are not good. J&K is a political issue and we have to resolve it politically," he said.

He said he would pitch for creating employment opportunities and to restore the lost identity of Jammu and Kashmir.

Former Minister and NC candidate from Trehgam constituency of Kupwara district Siafullah Mir said that his vision after being elected to the Legislative Assembly will be to address the issue of unemployment.

"I will impress upon the government to address the issue of unemployment and create jobs for youth," he said.

Mir said that he will also press to "undo" the "Anti Public" laws framed during the last few years and declare them redundant.

"New laws should be made which will be in favour of the public and for their betterment. I will personally pitch for the release of prisoners who should be given a chance to live their normal life once again," he said.

Former minister and PDP candidate from Wagoora-Kreeri constituency Syed Basharat Bukhari said he and his party PDP always remained vocal against drug addiction and unemployment.

"When you become MLA, you don't shoulder the responsibility of your constituency but the whole region. As an MLA and a minister, I have worked for the betterment of people in the past and will do it in future as well," he said.