Srinagar, Sept 17: JKNC senior leader and party’s candidate from Rafiabad Constituency, Javid Ahmad Dar on Tuesday said that there is frustration among Kashmiri youth due to the ongoing unemployment crisis.
He stated that if elected, he would support local entrepreneurs by helping them in providing interest-free loans and expand their businesses.
In an interview with Rising Kashmir, Javid Ahmad Dar said if elected, he will create avenues of employment for the youth in Rafiabad constituency.
“At the grassroots level, youth are disillusioned, especially after many recruitment processes were cancelled during the past several years due to scams. I will be a beacon of hope for the disheartened youth in my constituency,” he said.
Dar also promised to support local entrepreneurs by providing interest-free loans, aiming to help them establish and grow their businesses.
He also said that 70 percent of the Rafiabad constituency is dependent on horticulture. If elected, will ensure access to quality pesticides for growers and will address the issue of substandard fertilizers, the NC leader said.
“We will introduce the latest technology in the horticulture sector to benefit local apple growers. Farmer-centric schemes will be rolled out, with subsidies provided to marginal farmers,” he said.
About Er Rashid’s release, Dar said that the people of Kashmir are now aware of his tactics.
“Last time, he won the Lok Sabha election from Baramulla due to sympathy votes, but this time the people of North Kashmir will respond on October 1. There is no such wave in favour of Er Rashid or his party workers in Baramulla anymore,” Dar said.
He further criticized Rashid for allegedly engaging in dynastic politics.
“Er Rashid attacks other parties while his own family is involved in politics. If his family is serving the people and sacrifice their jobs, then so were Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah. Why, then, question their intentions?”, he added.
Dar urged voters to elect honest leaders committed to peace, development, and progress in their constituencies. Before casting votes, people should assess candidates’ track records and character also, he added.
The Rafiabad constituency in North Kashmir, historically a political hotspot, is set for a highly competitive contest. The race is intensifying among candidates from the National Conference (NC), Apni Party, and People’s Conference (PC).
There are around 130,000 eligible voters—57,000 males and 55,900 females. Dar, the NC candidate, was previously elected as an MLA in 2008, securing 13,198 votes against PDP’s Mohammad Dilawar Mir, who received 12,982 votes.
Yawer Dilawar Mir of the Apni Party, who won the 2014 assembly elections on a PDP ticket with 17,918 votes, is also a strong contender, having defeated People’s Conference’s Abdul Gani Vakil, who garnered 15,584 votes.
