As polling is underway for the first phase of Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections after a decade, PM Narendra Modi has sent out a message to the voters through his X handle. He writes, “As the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections begins, I urge all those in constituencies going to the polls today to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. I particularly call upon young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise”.
PM Modi has specially called upon the young & first time voters to use their right of voting.
Notably, this is the first time that many young candidates have been fielded by the different parties. A wave of fresh & young faces can be seen in this election fray. Meenakshi Bhagat, a 25 year old candidate is contesting from the Bhaderwah assembly constituency on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket. In Kishtwar, BJP has fielded 29-year-old Shagun Pairhar. Similarly, 37-year-old, Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti is contesting on PDP’s ticket from Bijbehara assembly seat. Congress has fielded 33-year-old Mohammad Zafarullah from Inderwal Constituency and the list goes on.
This election can be called as youth centric with parties making big promises for the development of youth in J&K. While campaigning for one of his party candidates in Doda East, DPAP chief Ghulam Nabi Azad raised his concern over drug abuse in J&K and promised to work for the development of youth by creating job opportunities for them.
The choice of candidates of the different political parties in this election reflects their motive of targeting youths for their political win.
In 2024 Lok Sabha election, Jammu & Kashmir recorded the highest voter turnout in 35 years. It will be interesting to see how people turn up in J&K assembly election.
