January 04, 2015
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J&K: Tarigami Wins Kulgam Seat for Record 4th Term

Our Correspondent

AS we were going to the press last week, reports came in that Mohd Yusuf Tarigami, CPI(M) Central Committee member and secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir State Committee, had won the Kulgam Assembly seat for a fourth consecutive term by polling a total of 20,574 votes and defeating his nearest rival Nazir Ahmad Laway of PDP, who got 20,240 votes. In the 2008 elections, Tarigami had polled 17,175 votes and defeated Nazir Ahmad Laway by a margin of 237 votes. That means this time there is an increase in actual votes of CPI(M) by 3,399. Tarigami has been representing Kulgam in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly since 1996. The tenure of J&K Assembly is for six years. The second seat, CPI(M) contested in the Kashmir Valley, was Wachi, where it had won once before. This time, CPI(M) candidate Zahoor Ahmad Rathar came third in the constituency by polling 2,779 votes. The party had also contested from Reasi in Jammu. Here, Party candidate OM Prakash polled only 664 votes. This time, the Party contested the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections as a constituent of Awami Mutahida Mahaz (AMM), comprising, apart from CPI(M), Peoples Democratic Front, Samajwadi Party, JKNDF, CPI, IDP and some other like-minded political parties/groups. AMM had fielded 10 candidates and also released a joint manifesto. AMM won two seats. Besides Tarigami, Hakim Mohd Yasin of Peoples Democratic Front won from the Khan Sahib seat. The Jammu and Kashmir Awami Mutahida Mahaz was formed in September last year. The Mahaz stresses on formation of alternative political policies, maintaining the state’s unity, strengthening its secular fabric, rooting out corruption and striving for exemplary good governance. It aims at making purposeful and constructive intervention within and outside the legislative institutions for maintaining peace and resolving of burning issues, confronting the people of the state. It also advocates guaranteeing differences of opinion, constructive changes in the administration, complete rehabilitation of migrants and released militants, jobs for the unemployed, regularisation of casual and other employees, and due role to the youth of the state in political, social, cultural and developmental activities. The Mahaz stands for the restoration of all the political and administrative powers to the state withdrawn by “underhand means” since 1952, withdrawal of all draconian laws like the Public Safety Act and the AFPSA, unconditional release of all detenues against whom there are no serious criminal charges, and removal of disparities among different regions and sub-regions of the state. Regarding post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation, the Mahaz has advocated for setting up of an enquiry commission which should identify the main causes of the unprecedented destruction and fix responsibility. The umbrella organisation feels that along with other causes, the carelessness and insensitivity of the government have to be taken into account. In its manifesto, the Mahaz has promised to strive with vigour for complete reconstruction of various public and private sectors as also for rehabilitating the flood affected people. Giving top priority to relief, the Mahaz has urged the central government to declare the recent Kashmir floods as a “National Disaster” and release funds accordingly. This elections, BJP’s ‘Mission 44+’ slogan and high-pitched campaign were aimed at polarising the voters. BJP, a know advocate for abrogation of Section 370 of the Constitution which accords special powers to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, was aiming for division of the state on religious basis. During the Party’s campaign in villages of Kulgam, residents in their large numbers gathered to welcome and listen to Targami. Roads were decorated with chain flags and posters of the Party. There was massive response to the election rallies in Nimhan and road-shows of Tarigami attracted large numbers of people. Wherever he went, his supporters exhibited tremendous enthusiasm and shouted slogans praising him for his concrete efforts regarding the impressive development in the entire Kulgam district. The presence of large number of youths in the campaign teams of CPI(M) candidates braving all sorts of adversaries was a noteworthy feature. Addressing a massive rally on November 30 on the last day of the campaign, Tarigami had described BJP as an essentially divisive and communal platform and urged the electorate of Jammu and Kashmir to defeat such forces for maintaining geographical unity and communal harmony in the state. The CPI (M) candidate asserted that the major issue in the elections was harmonious and equitable development of all the regions and sub-regions of the state. As such, the voters should judge the performance of each party and each contesting candidate and should cast their votes accordingly. He highlighted the multi-faceted development in Kulgam and said that it was for everybody to see and judge. He, however, said that a lot needs to be done for the development of infrastructure, provision of employment, regular power and drinking water supply. He also promised to continue his relentless efforts to develop Kulgam as a model district. Criticising the NC and PDP, the two major parties in the Kashmir Valley, Tarigami had said “it is understandable how the planks of autonomy and self-rule by NC and PDP can materialise as it is evident that these are mere slogans and part of election propaganda.” The parties have failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people and they have not been sincere as far as restoration of autonomy to the state is concerned. He the NC and PDP did not launch a strong protest when the autonomy resolution was rejected by the BJP government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Tarigami recalled that it Vajpayee who in 1952 played a vital role in launching a movement against the special status and autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir. The CPI (M) candidate reiterated the Party’s stand to restore complete internal autonomy and special status of Jammu and Kashmir as it was in 1952. He expressed his dismay for not declaring the recent Kashmir floods as a national disaster and promised that he and his party would struggle for complete construction and rehabilitation of the flood affected. Expressing his concern on human rights violations, Tarigami said that the justice system is very weak and added that it will be the priority of the Party to ensure that those involved in rights violations are punished without delay. He also reiterated his demand for withdrawal of AFSPA, PSA and release of all those political and other detenues who were not involved in serious crimes and promised to continue his relentless efforts to develop Kulgam as a model district. (EOM)