General News Archives | Page 77 of 367

Sajad Lone: Embracing Article 370’s Legacy While Fostering National Unity

May 17, 2024 Editor

Baramulla: Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman Sajad Gani Lone Thursday said that though Article 370 was close to the hearts of the people of Kashmir, Kashmiris had to be equal Indians. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the public rally held in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Lone said, “Article 370 was always close to our heart and we will never accept its abrogation. But for the time being, we are talking about development with dignity. When we talk about dignity, we talk about the right to dignity of a Kashmiri…

BJP’s Absence in Key Kashmir Seats: Strategic Maneuver or Acknowledgment of Valley Realities?

May 17, 2024 Editor

The saffron party is allegedly relying on proxy candidates now, but analysts say even these would be rejected by the people. In the first major election to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not contesting from any of the three Valley seats—Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag—leaving the electoral battle to two major regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the BJP had six candidates in the fray in Jammu and…

Navigating the Chasm: Bridging Expectations with Realities in the Political Landscape

May 14, 2024 Editor

Broken Promises or Bridging the Gap? The New Government's Balancing Act

The Great Expectation Game: Bridging the Chasm Between Promises and Progress (#ElectionPromises, #BridgingTheGap) By: Javid Amin As the curtain rises on a new era of governance, the spotlight falls squarely on the shoulders of the elected representatives. With the promise of change hanging in the air, citizens harbor lofty expectations from their chosen leaders. From reliable power supply to robust employment opportunities, from improved infrastructure to accessible healthcare, the laundry list of demands is extensive. Yet, amidst these soaring hopes, lies a daunting question – can the elected few rise…

High Power Bills, Unemployment Fuel Women’s Turnout in Downtown Polls

May 14, 2024 Editor

Srinagar: From crippling unemployment to unaffordable electricity bills, a plethora of civic issues drove women voters in Srinagar’s downtown localities to turn out in large numbers to vote. In Rainawari, the lack of job opportunities for Kashmiri youth and the impending installation of smart power meters emerged as major poll planks. “We voted for candidates promising to tackle unemployment and the smart meter issue,” said Maqsooda, a resident of Jogilanker. “Government jobs are scarce, but if loans are provided, our youth can start their businesses and find work.” The smart…

Record Turnout in Srinagar Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Highest Since 1999

May 13, 2024 Editor

Voting is being held since 7 am in Srinagar, as part of the fourth round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections Voting for the Lok Sabha election 2024 is underway in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar in the fourth phase. This is the first major election in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. As many as 24 candidates are in the fray in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency. The Srinagar seat comprises Srinagar, Ganderbal and Pulwama districts and…

Popularity Litmus Test: Candidates Gear Up for Electoral Challenge

May 13, 2024May 13, 2024 Editor

Srinagar: After several weeks of hectic campaigning, the time for contesting candidates’ popularity litmus test has finally arrived in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency. The fate of the candidates will be sealed in Electronic Voting Machines ( EVMs) on the polling day tomorrow. This marks the beginning of the polling for the three Lok Sabha constituencies in Kashmir. After tomorrow’s polling in Srinagar, the Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri constituencies will later go to polls on May 20 and May 25 respectively. Srinagar constituency witnessed large-scale campaigning by the candidates and their parties.…

Omar Abdullah: PM’s J&K Statehood Assurance Makes Discussion Superfluous

May 13, 2024 Editor

Mr Abdullah also said the results of the Lok Sabha polls will have an impact on the upcoming assembly elections in the Union territory Srinagar: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Sunday said restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is not an issue for his party in the Lok Sabha polls, asserting that it will get the statehood anyway in view of commitment by the prime minister and the Union home minister. Mr Abdullah also said the results of the Lok Sabha polls will have an impact on the…

Warning Against History: Parra Urges Government to Avoid Repeating 1987 Election Fiasco

May 13, 2024May 13, 2024 Editor

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Srinagar Parliamentary seat Waheed ur Rehman Parra on Saturday said that the BJP-led government should not repeat 1987 rigged election saying it will have disastrous consequences. The elections were allegedly rigged by Congress alongside the National Conference in Kashmir, spurring armed militancy in the Valley a year later. He said that his party did not demand any support from the central government but was seeking free and fair elections. He said that the government shouldn’t support those who are misleading them, alleging Apni Party…

Dr. Farooq Abdullah Criticizes BJP for Ignoring Common People’s Concerns

May 12, 2024 Editor

Srinagar: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah today alleged that BJP is staying away from the issues of the common people. He was addressing an election rally at Hazratbal here. Dr Farooq Abdullah was accompanied by Srinagar Parliament candidate Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi. The rally was organised by Provincial President Youth National Conference (YNC) and In-Charge Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar. Party General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, DP Srinagar Peer Afaq Ahmad, party leaders Mohd Syed Akhoon, Dr Sameer Koul, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardhy, and Provincial President Women’s Wing…

In Anantnag, BJP’s Attention on Abdullahs, Muftis Despite Absence in the Race

May 12, 2024May 12, 2024 Editor

Even as the BJP is not contesting the Lok Sabha poll in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, the party has dispatched all its top leaders to the area for campaigning. The party’s leaders are targeting the NC and PDP in their speeches, telling people that “J&K needs a vision beyond the ‘gun culture’ that has been promoted by Muftis and Abdullahs for their petty political gains.” The party, however, is not explicitly asking people whom they should vote for other than the PDP and the NC. BJP national…