Tarigami calls for wise voting, releases manifesto

Kulgam, Aug 31: Senior CPI(M) Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami on Saturday said that elections present an opportunity to address and resolve the issues affecting the people in their daily lives.

Tarigami, who is contesting polls from south Kashmir’s Kulgam Assembly seat has been organising rallies and public meetings over the past few days.

"My connection with people never wavered. Meeting people regularly, listening to their grievances and addressing their concerns are important aspects of our politics, " Tarigami told reporters in a Kulgam village.

Tarigami believes that the current elections are rather different than the past ones. “ These elections are held under extraordinary circumstances and people must elect their representative cautiously and wisely,” he said. He added that the assembly election offers a big opportunity to get rid of the bureaucratic rule and the hardships confronting people.

“People are facing a host of issues like price rise , unemployment and higher electricity bills. These elections are vital for tackling such issues,” Tarigami said. He said that civil liberties and press freedom have been curtailed over the last few several years.

“There is widespread fear among people. Many youth are languishing in jails, while journalist could not express their opinion freely,” CPI (M) leader said. He said that the current dispensation has nothing to offer but to create fear and deprive people of their rights.

Earlier, Tarigmai released the election manifesto and charter of demands.

The key demands include the restoration of the special constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir as it existed before August 5, 2019, release of all political prisoners, an end to arbitrary arrests, revocation of draconian laws like PSA and cessation of dismissal of government employees under the pretext of being anti-national.

The manifesto also envisions the creation of small hydro-power projects in district Kulgam, enhancing the monthly remuneration of scheme workers to Rs 25,000 and raising the monthly pension of people with disabilities to Rs 6,000.