Editorial | People Before Power

Jammu and Kashmir needs legislators who put people’s problems before political power. Governments may change, ministries may be reshuffled, and political promises may come and go. But the problems faced by ordinary people remain until someone takes responsibility and works to solve them.

For the people of J&K, real progress is not measured by the number of ministers in the government or the portfolios they hold. It is measured by the quality of roads, the availability of drinking water, reliable electricity, better healthcare, quality education, and employment opportunities for the youth.

Elected representatives have a duty to raise these issues beyond political speeches. Their responsibility does not end after winning elections. It begins there. People elect legislators with the hope that their voices will reach the government and their daily struggles will receive attention.

Across J&K, many families continue to face problems related to public services, unemployment, delayed development works, and limited access to essential facilities. These issues require regular follow-up, honest communication, and practical solutions. A question raised in the Assembly matters, but the relief it brings to people matters even more.

Legislators must remain connected with their constituencies. They should visit villages, listen to residents, meet officials, and monitor development projects. They must also question delays and demand accountability when public services fail. People should not have to visit government offices repeatedly or seek political connections to get their genuine work done.

The role of an MLA is not limited to supporting or opposing the government. Legislators must represent the interests of the people, regardless of their political affiliations. Those in the ruling party should ensure that promises translate into action, while opposition members should raise genuine public concerns and offer constructive suggestions.

Ministries and governments are temporary institutions. Their leadership can change with political circumstances. However, the needs of the people remain constant. A family waiting for a road, a patient seeking timely treatment, a student hoping for better educational facilities, or an unemployed youth looking for work cannot afford to wait for political adjustments.

J&K needs public representatives who measure their success through the relief they provide, the problems they resolve, and the trust they build.

Political positions may come and go, but public responsibility must remain. The people are the real stakeholders in a democracy, and their concerns deserve priority over political calculations.

Ultimately, a legislator’s true legacy is not the power they hold, but the positive change they bring to people’s lives.