Mehbooba Mufti seeks decisive mandate from Anantnag voters

Intensifying her campaign for the impending by-elections in south Kahsmir's Anantnag constituency, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday sought a decisive mandate from the people.

The state's first woman chief minister reiterated her Peoples Demoratic Party's resolve to lift the state from the morass of political and economic uncertainties.

"We have started picking up the threads from where we left in 2005 to revive the process of political reconciliation...," Mehbooba said while addressing a series of roadside election meetings in Anantnag.

She said the people of the state, more than ever before, want politicians to stand up and address the political and economic issues: "They want leadership, they want commitment, they want accountability..."

"If you want a change of direction, not just a change of government, PDP is the only alternative," she asserted.

The 56-year-old said her Government's focus is on skill development, agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts and tourism sectors which are the mainstay of the State's economy.

"Various multilateral institutions and major corporate houses have been roped-in to build and fine-tune the infrastructure in these key sectors to achieve the desired levels of growth," she said and added that infrastructure building in agriculture, horticulture, tourism and handicraft sectors would not only give a fillip to the State's economy but would help create more job opportunities for the local youth by fully harnessing their enterprising skills.

She said the problem of unemployment especially among the educated youth was a matter of "grave" concern and needs immediate thought.

Urging people to support her in upcoming elections, Mehbooba Mufti said; "I have come to seek your vote and support to carry forward the mission of my father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed which could not be fully accomplished because of his sad demise," she hoped that the people of the Anantnag will once again repose faith in her party and elect her as their representative.

--IANS

sq/ahm/vm