As voters in central Kashmir\u2019s Budgam stepped out to cast their ballots in the high-stakes bypoll that will determine the fate of 17 candidates, the mood across polling stations reflected a striking blend of hope, frustration, and cautious optimism.<\/p>\n
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For many, the bypoll became an outlet to vent anger over unemployment, poor infrastructure, and unfulfilled promises that have spanned successive Governments. From inadequate drinking water and broken roads to erratic electricity and dysfunctional healthcare, voters said their daily hardships remain unchanged.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe have no drinking water or playgrounds,\u201d said Mohammad Yousuf from Ompora, proudly showing his inked finger. \u201cWe voted today hoping the promises of a university and a stadium will finally be fulfilled.\u201d<\/p>\n
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In Bemina, dissatisfaction ran deeper. Abdul Rahman, waiting outside a booth, said, \u201cWe voted for the NC last time, and they never returned. No one visited our neighbourhood. We are tired of being ignored.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Despite the disillusionment, several voters still placed their trust in the ruling National Conference (NC).<\/p>\n
Ghulam Hassan, also from Bemina, said, \u201cOur candidate has done good work before. With NC in power for the next four years, maybe this time development will reach us.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Not everyone, however, was willing to give the ruling party another chance.<\/p>\n
In Wahabpora, a middle-aged woman said she was shifting her support: \u201cWe have voted for the NC for years, but nothing improved. Now we will vote for PDP, hoping for better roads and healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n
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At another booth, 60-year-old Mohammad Isaq recalled past disappointments. \u201cWe voted for Omar Abdullah last time, and he left for Ganderbal. No development happened here. Still, I vote\u2014it is my right. Maybe things will change.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Eighty-year-old Ghulam Mohammad Hajam, leaning on a stick and supported by his son, offered a poignant reflection: \u201cI have voted all my life. We still eat under candlelight, and we borrow water from neighbours\u2019 bore wells. I still hope\u2026 maybe before I die, I will see real change.\u201d<\/p>\n
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As polling concluded, voters across Budgam carried with them a mix of resentment and renewed hope\u2014hoping their vote this time will finally bring the long-awaited transformation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As voters in central Kashmir\u2019s Budgam stepped out to cast their ballots in the high-stakes bypoll that will determine the fate of 17 candidates, the mood across polling stations reflected a striking blend of hope, frustration, and cautious optimism. For many, the bypoll became an outlet to vent anger over unemployment, poor infrastructure, and unfulfilled […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3490,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,35],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3491","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-jammu","8":"category-kashmir"},"yoast_head":"\n