‘Eidgah constituency neglected over years’
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 8: While describing the public response as overwhelming, senior People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and candidate from the Eidgah Assembly constituency, Mohammad Khurshid Alam, stated today that there is no comparison between the 2014 Assembly elections and those being held now.
In an exclusive interview with Excelsior, he discussed the 2014 elections, the mood on the ground, the PDP’s vision, and the challenges faced by the people of the Eidgah constituency, highlighting how the poll boycott has benefited a specific party, giving birth to “undeserving” leaders.
“The elections held 10 years ago were totally different. The J&K Assembly was the most powerful in the country; it was competent and empowered, with a special status guaranteed by the constitution. But then 2019 happened,” he said.
Alam claimed that the guarantees J&K had were taken away “on the basis of a brute majority,” disregarding legalities. He emphasized that there is no comparison between the 2014 and 2024 elections.
“The atmosphere is positive; there is an overwhelming response from the people. We are fighting against the BJP’s policy of suppression in J&K. They want the silence of the graveyard. We also want peace, but it must come with dignity, allowing people to speak their minds,” he said.
Addressing the constituency he is contesting from, Alam accused National Conference’s (NC) Mubarak Gul of failing to deliver, stressing that people are suffering on multiple fronts, with the area showing signs of neglect.
“In 1983, Mubarak Gul was elected to the Assembly, and he has been representing Eidgah since then. The advantage he had was the boycott. He was even the Speaker, but the constituency has been suffering in areas like employment, development, and education. He has done nothing and the area has been neglected,” he said.
Alam stated that he does not foresee any major challenges, emphasizing that he is not limited to his constituency but represents all of Srinagar.
“I don’t see a challenge there. I am not a constituency-centric politician. Focusing solely on one constituency limits political activities. I have always aimed to represent the people of Srinagar, regardless of the constituency,” he added.
He further stated that the long-serving representative will have to present his record to the people, who are fully aware of what has been done for them.
“People know exactly what has and hasn’t been done. They should seek alternatives, and I’m telling you that the PDP is the only real alternative in J&K politics,” he said.
Discussing his priorities if elected, Alam said he would focus on the overall development of the area, as it has been neglected for years. “I think Gul has not understood the meaning of development, and it’s evident when you tour the area,” he added.
He also noted that the boycott has allowed undeserving people to be elected. “It has created accidental leaders, votes used to be managed to have people elected. But now, things are changing and I am hopeful that people will vote wisely, considering the past, present and future.”
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