From West Pakistan, the refugees have expressed happiness at getting the opportunity to vote for the first time since India gained independence. This is the first time assembly election in the erstwhile state following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A). ‘It was a very happy moment for the people of the West Pakistani Refugees and expressed his gratitude toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah’, said the President of the West Pakistani Refugees Association, Labha Ram Gandhi.
Gandhi said, ‘It is a very happy moment for the people of the West Pakistan refugees. After 75 years of independence, we will be able to vote in the Jammu & Kashmir assembly. Earlier, we used to get kicked out and called Pakistani whenever we used to go for voting. I want to thank the Indian PM and Home Minister for the abrogation of Article 370, because of which we are getting voting rights in Jammu for the first time’.
He further added, ‘Now after that, we can also vote in the panchayat election, or else earlier we used to be called second class citizens. The day of the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A is the day of our independence. Earlier, none of the government schemes weren’t utilized by us apart from the ration card, but now we can utilize all the government schemese like ‘Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao’.
Another resident who will be casting their vote for the first time said they want to elect a good leader for the UT. He said, ‘We want a good leader. Since 1947, we have been wronged; there is nothing in our name. Earlier, when we used to go to any office, we were Pakistanis. Now, after the abrogation of Article 370, we got a position in the tehsil, but still, there is no improvement’.
He further added, ‘We are feeling very good. We will push for the one who will help us. This is the first time we will vote for the first time. I have never voted, and I will choose a leader who will help to get our demands fulfilled’.
Earlier, the Election Commission of India announced the election dates for Jammu & Kashmir in three phases. The polling dates are September 18, September 25 and October 1, with counting to be held on October 8.
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