Srinagar, Sept 23: National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Monday urged the people to vote “to put an end” to their “suffering”.
Addressing a series of public and workers meetings across Ganderbal and Budgam constituencies, Omar, according to a party statement issued here, spoke about the “plight of youth that has aggravated due to the absence of a democratically elected government”.
“Our youth are feeling frustrated by the lack of government support for their legitimate demands and concerns. This cannot continue. Our young people deserve opportunities to pursue their passions and are seeking assistance in terms of administrative support and job opportunities. We are dedicated to securing a brighter future for our youth and will actively strive towards that goal,” he said
Member Parliament (MP) Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and party functionaries were present on the occasion.
Promising the respite from hefty bills and unscheduled power cuts, Omar said, “Despite generating electricity and fueling growth and development in other parts of the country, Jammu & Kashmir continues to struggle with frequent power outages. Unscheduled power cuts have become the norm, leaving our people in darkness. They are burdened with hefty electricity bills. It is time for the government to address this issue and provide the people of Jammu and Kashmir with reliable and affordable electricity.”
Earlier in Budgam, the former chief minister urged people to vote. He emphasised the importance of choosing a representative assembly to “reflect the true aspirations” of the people. “These elections hold immense significance, especially for our people who have long been deprived of the right to choose their government. Despite promises that August 5, 2019, would ‘mainstream’ Kashmir, it only served to further marginalise us,” he said.
“Now, with the elections being held under the direction of the honourable Supreme Court, it is imperative that we seize this opportunity and turn out in large numbers to exercise our right to vote. Let us make our voices heard and take a stand for our future,” Abdullah added.