Jammu, Apr 20: Despite inclement weather conditions, voter turnout touching almost seventy percent in the Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency establishes that the roots of democracy are stronger in Jammu and Kashmir, said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State Executive Member, Raman Suri on Saturday.
In a statement, Suri said, “Right from the first-time young voters to the aged ones, majority of the eligible voters in this constituency, which comprises of Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts exercised their right to vote even in far-flung areas of this segment, that went to polls during the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024.”
Congratulating the Election Commission of India (ECI), the officers on duty for elections and the voters for meticulous arrangement and voting pattern in this constituency, Suri hoped that during the second phase of polling on April 26, eligible voters will cast their votes in large numbers and strengthen the democratic values.
The BJP leader said that the enthusiasm displayed by youth and aged besides women during the first phase of polling is highly appreciable and establishes that bad weather conditions or anything else cannot become a hurdle in their resolve to cast a vote and celebrate the spirit of democracy. He said the awareness programmes launched by the ECI and the UT authorities proved beneficial in bringing out the voters and enabling them to exercise their right to franchise.
The BJP leader said the world always keeps an eye on J&K elections, and in typical geographical areas, the threat of militancy and bad weather conditions always play their negative role in polling. “But this time, the vigilant security personnel joined by the efforts of election authorities and people’s undying spirit ensured almost seventy percent polling in this constituency, which proved that nothing can stop people from being a part of the largest democracy of the world,” he said.
Lauding the efforts of Jammu & Kashmir Police, Indian Army, BSF and other security agencies for ensuring smooth and comfortable polling in the Udhampur parliamentary constituency, Raman said the people have also sent a strong message across the length and breadth of the country, especially the rest of J&K, that democracy provides a common platform and opportunities to everyone to participate in elections without fear and favour.
The BJP leader appealed to the people of the Jammu parliamentary constituency to vote in favour of Jugal Kishore Sharma in the second phase of polling on April 26 “to bring strong and able Prime Minister Narendra Modi to power once again, so that the programmes and policies that are leading India to become the third largest economy in the world are continued in the larger interest of the nation and its people”.
