Kishtwar, August 25, 2024 — Firdous Ahmed Tak, the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Kishtwar constituency, has expressed confidence that the people of Chenab Valley are ready to elect genuine leaders who prioritize development and welfare. In a recent statement, Tak claimed that the residents have now identified and rejected the “thugs” who previously ruled over them.
Tak is set to contest in the upcoming J&K Assembly elections, with voting scheduled for September 18. He emphasized that the Chenab Valley region, which has historically suffered due to inadequate governance, is now determined to choose leaders who genuinely care about the people’s needs.
The first phase of voting will cover several constituencies across the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region, including Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal. In the Kashmir Valley, constituencies such as Pampore, Pulwama, Shopian, and Anantnag will also go to the polls in this phase.
This election marks a significant moment for Jammu & Kashmir, as it is the first Assembly election in a decade. The region has been without a functioning legislature since June 2018, when the BJP withdrew support from the PDP-led coalition government, leading to the imposition of Governor’s rule. The situation further intensified with the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, which stripped J&K of its special status.
The election also comes in the wake of a Supreme Court directive, upholding the abrogation of Article 370, and mandating the holding of Assembly elections by September 30. Simplified voting procedures for Kashmiri migrants, first introduced during the Lok Sabha elections, will continue during this election as confirmed by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
Firdous Tak, a well-known lawyer, journalist, and politician from Kishtwar, previously served as a Member of the Legislative Council from 2015 to 2019. He has held various leadership roles, including president of the Jammu & Kashmir Water Sports Association and member of the J&K Waqf Board.
As the region braces for its first state elections in ten years, the contest in Kishtwar remains crucial, with candidates like Tak positioning themselves as advocates of progress and development for the long-neglected Chenab Valley region.
