After exodus of top leaders, PDP launches online campaign to strengthen presence in J-K politics

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken to social media to scout for new stakeholders to begin the political journey afresh in Jammu and Kashmir. PDP youth president Waheed Parra said besides engaging the youth in the political process, the online campaign will also open up the political space for those who want to be associated with politics, but do not have the referrals and connections to do so. «This is the first time such a step has been taken by any political party.

One of the objectives is to bring the youth into the political process. This will open the political space for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir,» he said. «At the same time, there is a vacuum on the ground as there is no political conversation or political space.

We want to reach out to those youth who are not politically connected and don't have the right kind of recommendations to join politics. Our aim is not only to engage the youth but empower them democratically,» Parra, the brain behind PDP's online scouting for future leaders, told PTI. Parra said with election to 47,000 grassroots level representatives due in Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP was trying to bring in more and more educated youth to these positions.

«There will be 47,000 persons who will be involved in grassroots democracy (Panchayat and Urban Local bodies) elections in the coming days. Our effort is that more and more of these should be educated, qualified and have the passion to serve. It should not be that new people only come through referrals and recommendations.