Thirty years after this town and constituency, named after the revered Sufi shrine Charar-e-Sharief, became a focal point of a two-month standoff between militants and security forces, the political discourse has shifted to job creation.

The shrine, built in 1460 to honor Sufi saint Nund Rishi, was destroyed in a fire during the 1995 clashes, ignited when militants holed up inside triggered explosions. It has since been rebuilt.

On Friday, Abdul Rahim Rather, the constituency’s six-time MLA and senior National Conference (NC) leader, toured local villages, urging residents to vote and keep the BJP from gaining ground.

A former state finance minister who has served in the Cabinets of both Farooq and Omar Abdullah, Rather has represented Charar-e-Sharief since 1977, except for a brief period in 2014 when he lost to PDP general secretary Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, who is now his opponent again in the upcoming election on September 25.

Arriving in Surasyar village just before Friday prayers, Rather addressed a gathering in the main market, urging voters to think critically: “Vote wisely… and not emotionally,” he stated. He criticized the BJP, claiming they have stripped the region of its flag, Constitution, and identity. “J&K has endured a decade of despair without proper representation. Now, it’s crucial to vote wisely to prevent further damage.”

He emphasized that the elections in J&K were occurring due to the Supreme Court’s intervention, not because the BJP-led Central government chose to restore democracy.

Rather also positioned the PDP, led by Mehbooba Mufti, as more responsible for the current state of affairs than the BJP, accusing them of “bringing the enemy home.” The BJP is contesting 19 constituencies in the Valley, including Charar-e-Sharief, where their candidate, Zahid Hussain Jan, is a former mayor.

While presenting the NC manifesto, which he helped draft, Rather highlighted their commitment to filling one lakh government job vacancies and supporting farmers. “We’ve ensured that those who work in the fields are included in our plans,” he said.

In an interview, Rather stressed the importance of voting in these Assembly elections, which are the first since the abrogation of Article 370. “This is the longest the people have waited for political representation in our state’s history. Voting is essential to address the unresolved issues of recent years,” he remarked.

He criticized the current bureaucratic system, stating that politicians must be accountable for their actions and performance every five years. Using terms like “ittehad” (unity) and “ittefaq” (agreement), Rather underscored the need for solidarity among voters, encouraging them not to succumb to provocations. He believes the public is ready to support the NC, stating, “A strong government can provide effective solutions to our problems. With the right representatives, we can express our rejection of the constitutional changes from August 2019.”

Rather highlighted the government’s attempt to portray public satisfaction with its decisions, arguing that people have not had a chance to voice their opinions. He called on voters to seize this opportunity to demonstrate their dissent.

He acknowledged the ongoing harvest season for apples, walnuts, and paddy as a factor affecting voter turnout but urged people to prioritize voting despite their busy schedules.

The NC benefits from a strong organizational structure that surpasses that of other political parties in Kashmir, bolstered by Rather’s established reputation. While many recognize his contributions to developing local schools and health centers, concerns about job availability persist.

Rashid Ahmad, a listener, noted the growing political engagement among youth, saying, “Previously, it was mainly older folks like me who voted. Now, young people are resentful because they lack means to support their families, and this sentiment is widespread across the Valley.”