Azad Urges Voters to Prioritize Unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir Elections

DPAP Chief Ghulam Nabi Azad calls on voters to head to polling stations with families, stressing unemployment as the key issue. Urges careful selection of leaders in upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, highlighting the need for solutions to joblessness and other persisting issues.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Chief of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), called on voters to visit polling stations with their families on Monday, underscoring the importance of addressing unemployment as a crucial issue. In an interview with ANI, Azad emphasized, "I urge all voters to reach the polling stations along with their families and cast votes. One-fourth of the voters will be from the new generation, whose expectations differ significantly. Unemployment is not only a pressing issue for youth but for the entire society. Several plans or programs to tackle unemployment have been absent for years, leaving many educated youth jobless."

Azad lamented that the real issues of the people often get sidelined during elections. "Elections are contested on longstanding issues, but no one raises the people's current concerns. Unemployment stands out as the most critical issue needing resolution. Various candidates stand for election, but the voters of Jammu and Kashmir will ultimately decide the government. Whoever they choose will form the government," he noted.

Earlier in the day, Azad cast his vote at the Government Girls High School for the third and final phase of the state elections. Addressing the media, Azad urged the electorate to make informed choices. "I appeal to people to vote wisely and select their leaders carefully. Voters in Jammu and Kashmir have 11 to 12 hours today to cast their votes, and I urge them all to participate. I will not endorse or oppose any party; the elected political party will address the issues," Azad said. The polling for the third and final phase commenced at 7 AM today, with 40 constituencies—24 in Jammu division and the rest in Kashmir Valley—participating. Voting will continue until 6 PM, under tight security measures to ensure a smooth and peaceful election process. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)