Suhail Khan
As the election dates are yet to be released, the ground report reveals that young and educated candidates are ready to make their mark in the upcoming ULB elections in North Kashmir’s Sopore town.
Talib (name changed), a businessman turned aspiring politician, expressed his determination to join the mainstream and contest the upcoming ULB elections in his ward. He believes it is high time for the Sopore people to replace the previous representatives who caused more inconveniences than offered solutions to their issues. Talib aims to serve his area and its people, ensuring that their voices are heard and their problems are addressed.
Similarly, Saima (name changed), an advocate by profession, is eagerly preparing to contest the elections from Sopore. She emphasises that it is a new era, and young people like her have the opportunity to play a significant role in shaping the future of Sopore.
Despite the potential for a successful legal career, Saima feels compelled to step forward and work for the betterment of her own people. She is determined to run as an independent candidate, reflecting her commitment to serve her community.
The Web Story, in a series of interviews with many people affiliated with politics in Sopore, talks about the upcoming elections and how different it is this time.
Reyaz Dantoo, a new figure on the ground for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Sopore town, believes that it is a golden opportunity for all deserving people who really want to serve their people and work for the betterment of society.
Reyaz stated that in Sopore, people have realised their fault for being away from the mainstream, but now a change is being seen with the participation of youth in the political setup.
He said that no matter which political party they support or join, what matters is the change—the change for development.
The aspiring BJP leader stated that in the upcoming ULB elections, BJP candidates will contest in all 21 wards in Sopore.
Reyaz Ahmed Dentoo, who is in charge of the BJP Sopore unit, unfurled the tricolour at the Iqbal market in Sopore on Independence Day, which the party termed a new dawn for Sopore.
Junaid Ahmad, a young blood who is all set to contest the ULB election on the People’s Conference seat, said in a chat with The Web Story that the situation allows him to come forward because it is time to be part of the system and work for the town, which needs development.
He emphasised that it’s time for the youth to come out of the notion that has left them as victims and take an active role in shaping their future.
Rayees Kaloo, a businessman turned politician, is also likely all set to make his entry in the upcoming elections in the town. Rayees, who lost a trade election last year in a neck-to-neck contest, later joined the Altaf Bukhari-led Apni party.
According to sources, many other new names, including Imtiyaz Ahmad, Zakir Kar besides a few women from the town, are also set to participate in the upcoming ULB elections, whose dates are yet to be decided.
Sources informed The Web Story that almost every political party is ready to field candidates in all wards in the town.
PDP, under the supervision of Irfan Ali, who is the district youth president of Baramulla, has covered many areas as scores of people in the past two months have joined the party, and according to sources, PDP has an eye on every ward.
Similarly, other parties are also ready to make their entry into the upcoming elections and are ready to try their luck.
The emergence of these new faces in the electoral arena signifies a growing desire for change as young and educated individuals seek to bring about positive developments and address the long-standing issues faced by the people of Sopore town.
Their decision to run as independent candidates demonstrates their willingness to work for the welfare of their communities free from the influence of established political parties.
With enthusiastic individuals like Talib and Saima stepping up to participate in the ULB elections, there is hope for a new beginning in Sopore, where the aspirations and concerns of the people can be effectively represented.
Can these fresh voices really bring the promise of proactive and accountable governance, and can they focus on the betterment of the town and its people? Time will prove.
Very good step new faces is the need of sopore constituency