Jammu leaders share common vision for peace, security, employment generation

Jammu, Oct 7: Hoping a massive public mandate in his favour on October 8, former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand aspires to pick up “threads of development from where he had left as a public representative.”

“I hope that the Almighty will bless me with a victory in people’s court. After the result, we will form a government with our alliance partner. As far as our vision is concerned, our first priority will be peace, security, employment generation for youth followed by regularisation of daily wagers and other casual workers or employees,” he said.

“Individually, employment generation for youth, basic amenities viz., power, water, roads, hospitals and schools will be my priority. Inflation will be curbed. To be precise, I’ll start from the works, related to development and employment generation for youth, left during my previous stint in the government and will take them forward,” he said.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, as Congress candidate, is engaged in a pitched battle with BJP’s Rajeev Sharma, a former legislator, in Chhamb constituency. Both Congress and BJP have strong rebels also in fray in this constituency.

Will address all concerns of my people: Raman Bhalla

Congress candidate and former minister Raman Bhalla, fully confident of his victory, has fixed as his first priority to “address all concerns of my people with a singular focus to undo all anti-people decisions.”

“Yes, I’m very confident of my victory with a good margin. There is a lot of resentment against anti-people policies. Unemployment has spiralled up. Daily wagers are a harassed lot. People are suffering for want of pensions,” Bhalla states, while detailing his vision after results.

“As a party, we have a vision for safe, secure and peaceful J&K. We stand committed for official status for Punjabi language and a package of Rs 35 lakh for every PoJK family, as was decided by the UPA government of Manmohan Singh,” he says.

“Individually, problems of Anganwari workers, daily wagers; resumption of old age, widow pensions, opening of 3500 closed schools; replacement of smart meters with old ones and relief to people in power bills will be my focus areas,” Bhalla enlists his priorities.

Bhalla is contesting from R S Pura- Jammu South against BJP’s first-timer Narinder Singh Raina and Democratic Progressive Azad Party’s Chowdhary Gharu Ram.

Industrial Park, curbing drug menace to be priority: Sham Lal

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and former minister Sham Lal Sharma, pretty sure of his victory with a convincing margin in hustings, has already chalked out a “blue-print for his constituency” so as to realise the party's vision for J&K.

“I’ll register a convincing win with an impressive margin. I’ve my vision clear in alignment with the vision of my party for J&K. Jammu North constituency has a mix of urban and rural parts. So my focus will be to ensure all basic amenities viz., health, education, roads, water and power for the people. While canvassing, I could notice grey areas on this account,” Sham Lal Sharma shares his vision with Greater Kashmir.

“There is a serious issue of potable water scarcity. I’ll ensure availability of clean drinking water for all. Then the creation of sports infrastructure for youth will be my priority. I’ve also envisioned an Industrial Park in this constituency for employment generation to address the unemployment problem. To wean away youth from drug menace will be a focus area,” he says.

When asked about expectations from the result, his answer was, “We (BJP) will emerge as the single largest party of J&K. We’re hopeful of forming a government with like-minded groups. Peace and prosperity of J&K is an integral part of BJP’s vision.”

Jammu North is witnessing a contest between two former ministers i.e., Sham Sharma of BJP and National Conference’s Ajay Sadhotra.

Clear vision for my people, J&K: Chowdhary Zulfikar

Sumit Bhargav reports

Bharatiya Janata Party candidate and former minister Chowdhary Zulfikar, while stating that his party will win Budhal assembly constituency with a record lead, asserts that he has a “clear vision for his people and for J&K.”

“I joined BJP to establish direct connection between Delhi and people from my area. I had served as Cabinet Minister of various departments including the Department of CAPD (now FCS&CA) and carved a niche with pro-people policies including implementation of NFSA,” he says.

“First priority will be to tap the tourism potential of the entire Pir Panjal region by connecting upper reaches including seven lakes with road connectivity. This demand was raised before the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari during his rally. I will leave no stone upturned to create employment opportunities for locals through these tourism rich areas,” he shares his vision.

“Many important projects started in the area like Aans irrigation canal, indoor stadium are incomplete and I will prioritise these important projects for their immediate completion,” he points out.

Independent candidate envisions ‘grievance redressal mechanism'

Sumit Bhargav reports

Former Sub-Judge and an independent candidate Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, contesting from Thannamandi, envisions a “grievance redressal system” to be “put in place after his victory” for all citizens.

“For me, the vision for J&K revolves around its citizens. To redress all grievances through a set and reliable mechanism will be my priority,” he shares.

“I am going to sweep the elections from Thanamandi assembly constituency. I have received support from people of all faiths and walks of life. This is perhaps for the first time that an independent candidate is receiving so much love,” Khan replies when asked about his expectations vis-a-vis people’s verdict.

“I will establish a new democracy trademark on October 8 when people will come to know that an independent candidate having zeal to serve people is given a golden opportunity by people to serve the society,” he adds.

“My vision is to serve every single person of society and to establish a system where grievances of every single citizen are addressed on priority. I will work to address the issue of unemployment, lack of development and poor work culture in government institutions,” Khan says.

He took voluntary retirement from the post of Sub-Judge to take a plunge in politics in 2021.