Choose your candidate wisely in this election: Mohammad Shafi Uri

Uri, Sep 12: Senior National Conference (NC) leader and former cabinet minister Mohammad Shafi Uri today urged the people to choose their candidates wisely in assembly elections.

He said that the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A was an injustice to the people of Kashmir.

“The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A was an injustice to the Kashmiri people. These articles provided special rights that ensured our employment and land were reserved for us, but unfortunately, this identity has now been stripped away,” he told Greater Kashmir at his Uri residence.

Shafi Uri visited the town on Wednesday to support his son Dr Sajjad Shafi Uri, NC District President Baramulla, as he filed his nomination papers for the upcoming assembly elections.

He expressed his shock at the transformation of the state into a Union Territory (UT). “Typically, a UT is elevated to statehood, but in this case, the situation was reversed, which has never happened before,” he said.

The former minister appealed to the people of Uri to vote in favour of his party and send a strong message to Delhi, emphasising that the fight is against the abrogation of these articles.

“Let us convey through our votes that the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A is unacceptable to us. We want this message to reach a broader audience, highlighting the injustice we have faced,” he said.

The veteran politician stressed that the NC is committed to address these critical issues. “This is not an ordinary election. People must choose wisely this time,” he said.

Mohammad Shafi Uri also noted that the NC had facilitated the first voting in Uri in 1972. “Before that, the people of Uri did not have the opportunity to choose their leader. We have always desired a free Uri, and this will continue to be our goal. There is no need for concern,” he assured.