Calling for mass participation in remaining phases of the assembly polls, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Monday expressed confidence that her party would win maximum number of seats both in Jammu and the Valley in second phase also on its way to absolute majority. “In Sha Allah, we are hopeful of getting maximum number of seats in all the eighteen constituencies going to polls tomorrow in the state as the voters are likely to repeat the enthusiasm which was visible in the first phase of polling on 25th last month, by participating overwhelmingly in the electoral process,” she said while addressing various roadside meetings in Rafiabad assembly constituency in the North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Yawar Mir, the PDP candidate for Rafiabad, was also present on the occasion.
Mehbooba claimed there is a strong wave sweeping the state in favour of the PDP and the people look at the party with hope and expectations to address their all issues and concerns. “This vote is well thought out and issue based and the people are minutely comparing the performance of the parties before pressing the button on the voting machine,” she said adding the people are satisfied with the performance of the PDP both in and outside the government and that is the reason it has got a mass appeal among every section of the society.
“PDP during its brief tenure in the government scripted a new chapter of peace and development in the state and the party not only revived people’s trust in the democratic institutions, but set an example of honesty and transparency in the governance system.
The party delivered much it had promised to the people, but the ruling National Conference only brought destruction and sell-outs of the state’s interests and resources,” she said adding the ruling dispensation has vitiated the whole atmosphere of peace and reconciliation which was created by the PDP with the support of people.The PDP Chief said her party is seeking overwhelming participation of the people in the elections to strengthen the democratic process so that the institutions of democracy create conditions that will not only facilitate the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir issue but bring about self sustaining development in all the regions of the state.
Mehbooba said the PDP is fighting this election with specific agendas and it will pursue its vision document for J&K-Self-Rule- as the frame work for the resolution of the state. “We will reconstruct the ailing economy of the state and will not only rebuild the infrastructure afresh in a planned way but will rehabilitate the people who have suffered immensely due to the September deluge this year,” she said adding the PDP will provide the effective government to the state and will create a harmonious environment on the ground among different sections of the society.
Mehbooba said once voted to serve; the PDP will create self sustaining centres of growth and employment-Model Business Villages- in the rural areas across Kashmir which will include Model Apple Village; Model Saffron Village; Model Walnut/Almond Village and Model Craft Village that will go a long way in strengthening the local economy and help in generating respectable employment for the youth.
Mehbooba said Rafiabad constituency offers immense potential for tourism and horticulture and the PDP will harness that to best satisfaction of the people in order to strengthen the local economy and create respectable job avenues for the local youth.Seeking the people’s support for Yawar Mir, the party’s candidate for Rafiabad constituency, Mehbooba said Yawar is a highly educated, dynamic young man who represents change in the state.