Kashmir voters face disappointment after high expectations

In Kashmir, many residents feel disappointed by the government’s failure to deliver on promises. Last year, the National Conference (NC) led by Omar Abdullah came to power with big pledges, including free gas, one lakh jobs, and welfare programs. But locals say these promises never turned into reality. People like Saqib Ahmad, working in his apple orchard in Baramulla, measure time not by crops but by the performance of governments. “People voted with hope, but what they got was disappointment,” he says.

The frustration is shared across towns and villages. Many residents compare the current government’s promises to the performance of previous administrations, especially the Lieutenant Governor (LG) period. Under the LG, administration focused on delivering services quietly and effectively. Roads were built, schools and hospitals staffed, clean drinking water provided, and schemes like career counselling and drug awareness implemented. In contrast, residents now see political rhetoric without follow-through.

Small business owners like Zubair in Pulwama experience daily struggles that highlight these gaps. Despite announcements of free electricity or subsidies for the poor, he still faces high bills. “We heard the speech; we never got the relief,” he says. Similarly, young graduates like Muskan Shafi feel cheated. The promise of one lakh jobs remains unfulfilled, leaving many unemployed and frustrated. She says, “A political promise ought to be a social contract, not a campaign ruse.”

In villages, elders like Gh Rasool from Wahibugh also notice the failures. Promises of free rations, anti-drug programs, and minority protections were made but not implemented. He emphasizes that governance requires consistent action, not just speeches. The absence of implementation erodes trust and affects the social fabric of the region.

The contrast between LG rule and NC government

Many residents clearly recall the LG administration as a time of practical change. In Dardpora village, 64-year-old Gh Hassan Mir notes that roads, water supply, schools, and health centers were developed under the LG, while elected NC leaders failed to deliver for decades. “Since Independence, neighboring villages didn’t have drinking water. Only after the LG government’s Rs 12 crore water scheme did we get water,” he says. He adds that since NC came to power, infrastructure and staff shortages have returned.

The disappointment is also felt by workers like Shoaib Gani in Pulwama. As part of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), he monitors projects but has not been paid for five months. Long walks to worksites, unpaid salaries, and lack of transport make his job difficult. Gani says, “We all wish the LG government was there. At least there was a chain of command, some responsibility.”

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In Gurez Valley, 25-year-old student Aamir Anees Lone highlights the stark difference between the LG rule and NC government. During the LG tenure, roads were built, electricity reached homes, schools and hospitals got staff, and tourism grew. Since NC came to power, power bills have doubled, teachers and doctors have been transferred, and institutions are understaffed. Aamir notes that the NC MLA’s personal wealth has increased significantly, raising questions about corruption. He says, “They looted public funds, ruined our future with false promises, and called it politics.”

Across Kashmir—from Pulwama to Gurez, Baramulla to Shopian—residents see the gap between promises and delivery. Grand announcements by NC have not translated into real benefits. In contrast, the LG administration, though less politically visible, delivered tangible improvements in infrastructure, services, and governance.

For ordinary citizens, governance means everyday improvements. Raja Begum from Baramulla explains, “When you are a housewife, when you have to stretch every rupee to feed a family, that small piece of paper saying you owe less is everything. That is what governance means to me.” People value reliability, predictability, and accountability over political rhetoric.

The experiences of locals like Saqib, Muskan, Hassan, and Aamir reveal a larger lesson about democracy in Kashmir. People judge governments not by speeches or promises, but by measurable impact on their daily lives. In the first year of the NC government, many feel that promises remain on paper, while real action has stalled.

Kashmir voters are learning a hard lesson: political promises without delivery bring disappointment, while effective administration brings tangible change. The LG administration’s approach, focused on accountability and service delivery, left a lasting impact on residents. The NC government, despite populist promises, has failed to meet expectations, creating frustration and skepticism among citizens.

For many in Kashmir, the true measure of governance is not political theatre but visible improvements in daily life—roads, water, electricity, jobs, and schools. The contrast between the NC government and the LG administration highlights the importance of reliable, predictable governance over high-decibel promises. Residents now understand that action, not words, shapes their future and sustains trust in democracy.