Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): In the heart of Srinagar's parliamentary battleground, where the spirit of democracy burned bright during the fourth phase of voting for the Lok Sabha election 2024, a poignant sight unfolded as a considerable number of elderly citizens made their way to polling stations.
Amidst the bustling electoral activity, these seasoned individuals, despite their age and ailments, cast their ballots with a sense of purpose. Their resolute commitment stemmed from the precarious situation prevailing in Kashmir, underscoring the imperative for principled and accountable leaders to represent their region on the national stage.
Since the abrogation of Article 370, a palpable awakening has swept through the Kashmiri populace, transcending mere daily struggles to encompass a broader concern for the erosion of their identity.
Engaging in candid conversations, an elderly voter lamented the “persistent neglect of Kashmiris”, particularly the marginalized, under the current BJP-led central government. Another senior citizen who cast his vote in the fourth phase of voting in Srinagar said that their grievances range from soaring electricity tariffs, arbitrary meter classifications, rampant unemployment, to stagnant development underscored the simmering discontent among the electorate.
Yet, amidst these challenges, another elderly voter said that there remains a glimmer of hope. With the dawn of a new electoral mandate, there is a collective aspiration for the elected representative to emerge as a potent advocate for Kashmiris, voicing their concerns and championing their cause in the hallowed halls of the country's parliament.
The Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, which is going to polls in the fourth phase of voting today is witnessing a triangular contest among NC's Aga Ruhullah, PDP's Waheed Para and Apni Party candidate Mohammad Ashraf Mir.
