The former minister and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief, Ghulam Ahmad Mir is considered very close to the Gandhi family. He rose to the top level of JKPCC in March 2015 and has headed various important top ministries during NC-Cong and PDP-Cong regime in the past. Mir in an interaction with INS Correspondent Owais Gul claimed that NIA, ED and CBI’s interference in Jammu and Kashmir will be reviewed if Congress is voted to power in centre.
Here are the excerpts
INS: Where do you see yourself in South Kashmir constituency?
Mir: Let me tell you that I am proud of the voters in South Kashmir. The turmoil they faced in previous regime, they are seeking a change on the ground in central government and an end to the situation. There is only one solution for the people that are Congress as no half member party can make changes on ground. Therefore, thinking of people at present is my belief.
INS: Almost all the political parties are making promises over protection of Article 370, 35 A, do you think the people will once again go with other parties?
Mir: These people always promise high and tall but later they go to New Delhi to beg for the things. However, no other party besides Congress listens to their demands. Now, at the time when Congress is already fighting and have mentioned it clearly that we will ensure the protection of Article 370, the claims being made by these parties have no takers. These all are of the constitution of India not of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitution. Congress led by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru has already guaranteed it and now Rahul Gandhi is also promising the protection of Article 370 amidst the BJP’s claims over revocation of the constitution. Therefore, the claims made by these leaders have no takers on the ground.
INS: As Anantnag became the first constituency that is going for polls in three phases, is this affecting your campaigning?
Mir: The situation in Valley has got deteriorated from last four years. If we talk about the previous assembly elections that were held in 2014, people despite the turmoil came out in large number to cast their ballots and that involvement cannot be seen on ground even in dreams at present due to the deteriorated situation. Therefore, the decision for the three-phased polls may have been taken due to the ground situation but it was meant to ensure adequate security arrangements. However, we didn’t see that kind of security arrangements on the ground as no extra ordinary arrangements were made for the people as well as candidates. I am proud of those voters who casted their ballots despite volatile situation. I don’t know what kind of security arrangements were taken for polling staff and others. Interestingly, the security of at least 1100 political leaders was withdrawn ahead of the elections. Even as the authorities admitted the volatile ground situation by conducting elections in three phases, but they have withdrawn the security from political leaders who were not able to come from their homes to camp gin for their candidate. This all was done to favour BJP but people will never make this happen, they will come out to cast ballots despite threats to keep BJP at bay.
INS: Nearly 87 percent people in Anantnag district boycotted elections?
Mir: It is not a good sign though but, taste has already been given by the government as a candidate was already elected on just 7.5 per cent votes in by-elections. However, boycotting the elections at this level was a concern for the nation.
INS: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad predicted your win only if the boycott effect will be less?
Mir: Azad’s statement was visionary as people if cast their ballots in good number will give a tough competition to the candidates but as I said security arrangements were not up to the mark, therefore it may be the cause that people preferred to stay away from polls.
INS: Two phases for the South Kashmir constituency are left, do you find good atmosphere for campaigning?
Mir: No, there was no conducive atmosphere for the campaigning at all. Today again, we have been asked not to go for campaigning, so how can it be conducive atmosphere. We are not able to reach out to the people properly.
INS: Encounter has taken place in Bijbehara; does it hamper your campaigning?
Mir: Yes of course, the situation gets more volatile when such kind of activities take place, therefore these activities does matter a lot.
INS: During Congress regime in centre, Muhammad Afzal Guru was hanged, do you see resentment of people against Congress in Kashmir over the move?
Mir: This issue was during 2014 elections, but at that time, the Congress candidate emerged victorious from the residential assembly constituency of Guru. However, this time, Guru’s hanging is not an issue. At present the issues that people are angry with include pellet wounds, PSAs against them and other things.
INS: The political promises remained war cry in the ongoing LS polls while as the developmental promises in Kashmir take a back seat. What is your take over it?
Mir: The regional parties are doing vocabulary politics. It is the fact that development takes place only because of good central government. I assure people that if Congress is voted to power then Jammu and Kashmir will shine again as every big decision for the development of the State was taken by Congress party and party will try to ensure peace in the State.
INS: The elections for two Jammu constituencies took place. How confident is Congress over winning the seats?
Mir: We are hopeful that we will emerge victorious on both the seats as people cast votes with good faith. Though there were allegations about defunct EVMs, following which we raised the issue with Election Commission. But, overall we are getting positive reports from the people.
INS: Besides, the NIA raids, ED summons and other issues are talk of the day in Kashmir. What is Congress’s take over it?
Mir: This all has happened in PDP’s rule. If there is a need to ensure peace then such kind of things must come to an end. Everything has been done for Kashmir like NIA raids, ED summons, CBI issues, highway ban, trade suspension and others. Therefore, all the organized torture will be reviewed if Congress is voted to power. We will not allow anything to happen that will hamper peace process.
