Fayaz Bukhari
The senior National Conference (NC) leader and candidate for Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Mian Altaf Ahmad, today said that people of Jammu and Kashmir have not accepted the Aug 2019 decision of Government of India on J&K.
In an exclusive interview to Excelsior, Ahmad said that his party’s focus will remain on seeking the rectification of the decision.
“Everywhere I’ve been, discontent over the August 2019 decision prevails. People haven’t accepted it, whereby a full-fledged State was divided into two UTs, unheard of in history. Our focus will remain on seeking the rectification of this decision through the LokSabha elections. We will represent the sentiments of the people, making it our prime focus,” he said.
The NC leader said that people’s focus in this election is not seeking basic amenities for them but Article 370 and its related matters.
“…people seldom mention issues like roads and electricity; instead, they primarily talk about Article 370 and related matters. In Rajouri and Poonch, they also do not accept this decision…”, he said.
He said that people feel that their rights are being snatched away post Aug 2019 and his party’s priority will be to raise the issue in the Parliament.
“…people feel that their land is being taken away. Their rights are being snatched. Our priority will be to present the issues of a political nature; people’s issues in Parliament. I believe that people will have no complaints with me if I am elected,” he added.
Ahmad said that if elected he will raise political and other issues faced by people of Jammu and Kashmir in the Parliament.
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The NC leader said both the voters and the political leaders are not happy the way Anantnag-Rajouri constituency was carved out as it is challenging for everyone.
“The Parliamentary constituency from which I am contesting has been marred by defacement, causing significant issues for both candidates and voters alike. It’s challenging to articulate the extent of these problems,” he said.
The NC leader said that no one anticipated they will do it and it was surprising for everyone. “Connecting Rajouri, Poonch, and Anantnag was beyond anyone’s imagination. Now imagine where places like Wachi, Larnoo, Dooru, Budhal, Nowshera, Bafliaz and Mandi fall. Such a constituency was never anticipated; it came as a surprise to everyone,” he said.
Ahmad said that every party objected to the creation of the constituency and informed the Delimitation Commission about it, but the Commission stuck to it. “This decision may prove costly for the BJP as people are not happy with the changes made to their constituency. The Mughal Road remains frequently closed, isolating both regions for six months,” he added.
The NC leader said that the constituency especially Rajouri and Poonch areas face issues of bad roads, with the Poonch-Jammu Road being particularly problematic.
“The Mughal Road exists, but it requires a tunnel to function year-round, a priority for us. There is also a proposal for a tunnel from Kokernag to Chhatru, which people want to be sanctioned. If given the chance, we will work on better infrastructure in Rajouri and Poonch. The hospitals and schools there are in bad condition, and water supply and irrigation have been inadequate for 75 years,” he said.
“In Pahalgam, there are environmental issues that need to be addressed, alongside increasing tourism infrastructure due to an increase in tourist footfall. It’s a livelihood for various people; there have been no jobs since there have been no recruitments after 2019,” he said
Ahmad said that the way people are meeting him and participating in party rallies, the voter turnout will be good.
The NC leader appealed to people to come and vote as it is the only weapon they have. “People should come out to vote and exercise their right. It is the only weapon they have got. We do not want strikes or stone pelting; we want people to vote in good numbers. People are in a mood to vote,” he said.
When asked why the BJP has not fielded their candidate from Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Ahmad said that may be BJP also believes that Aug 2019 decision and delimitation was wrong.
“I also do not know why the BJP has not fielded a candidate in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. Even BJP’s cadre has been left disheartened there. They feel like all seats are ours, and Kashmir does not matter. Maybe they are getting to feel that their decisions were wrong. Maybe they also believe that the August 5 decision and the delimitation were wrong, or they think that people will not support them; they are caught in confusion,” he said.
When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Statement on Mangalsutra, the NC leader said that the PM should uphold security and democratic values of the country.
“He is the Prime Minister of the country; we expect that whatever he says should be for secular India. The country is famous for secularism, democracy and freedom of speech, and he should run the country on those lines,” he added.
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