Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Sep 5: Female candidates participating in the upcoming first phase of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections, scheduled for September 18, are urging voters to exercise their choice wisely, saying there is a need for change and a departure from the status quo of the last decade.
If people still have to fight for basic needs, it means that those who have ruled J&K for decades, especially in the last 10 years, have failed to do justice on the ground, they said.
They criticised the lack of basic facilities and the inability of past governments to fulfill promises, adding that people in J&K, especially women, should cast their votes thoughtfully and not be swayed by communal or caste-based politics.
National Conference (NC) leader Sakina Itoo said this election is different from previous ones, not only because it comes after a decade but also because people had become unfamiliar with the election process and its impact.
Meenakshi Kalra, an independent candidate from Doda West, expressed her frustration with leaders who have governed for decades but failed to deliver on basic needs like road connectivity and water facilities. “If they are still doing politics on the same issues as they were 10-15 years ago, they do not deserve our votes,” she said. Kalra urged women to vote carefully and not fall for empty promises.
Similarly, Meenakshi Bhagat, running on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket from Bhaderwah, said she is focused on the need for women’s empowerment and improvement in various sectors. “Voters are now more mature and aware of their choices, especially since no elections were held in J&K for the past 10 years,” she said.
Bhagat lamented the “lack of visible development” since the abrogation of Article 370, despite government claims.
In total, nine female candidates are contesting in the first phase of the elections, five from the Kashmir division and four from the Jammu division.
Notable candidates from Kashmir include Daisy Raina from the Republican Party of India in Rajpora Pulwama, Gulshan Akhter (independent) from Anantnag West, Iltija Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Bijbehara-Srigufwara, Afroza Bano (independent) from Kulgam, and Sakeena Masood Itoo from D H Pora (NC).
From Jammu, candidates include Meenakshi Bhagat (BSP) from Bhaderwah, Meenakshi Kalra (independent) from Doda West, Pooja Thakur (NC) from Padder-Nagsani and Shagun Parihar (BJP) from Kishtwar.
These female candidates are hopeful that the electorate will prioritise progress, women’s empowerment and real change in their decision-making this election season.
