Baramulla parliamentary constituency in northern Kashmir valley, scheduled to go for polling in the first phase on April 11, is witnessing a three-way contest between National Conference, People Democratic Party and the Peoples Conference.
The three nominees of these political parties, Muhammad Akbar Lone, Abdul Qayoom Wani and Raja Aijaz Ali, all speak of development, the Kashmir issue, J&K’s special status and the prevailing conditions with different degrees intensity and emphasis.
Each one of the three aspiring for membership in theParliament have never been there before.
MUHAMMAD AKBAR LONE
Lone of the NC is a veteran politician, four-time legislatorin Jammu and Kashmir assembly. He first won a seat in the state assembly on aJanata Party ticket in 1977. Later he went to represent NC in the statelegislative house three times.
He believes, if elected, that he would be an appropriate andeffective representative of Kashmir in the parliament.
“At a time when attempts are being made to either dilute orremove the special status, the people of the state need a better representativethis time. Unlike in the past, need of a better representative in theparliament is extremely important,” Lone said.
“The MPs belonging to Jammu and Kashmir were among themembers who had the least attendance in the parliament. When their attendancewas so low how could they have been serious in raising the issues pertaining tothe people of the Jammu and Kashmir state.”
Lone says besides advocating political rights of the peoplehe would strive for employment avenues for the educated youth of J&K.
Lone who studied law at the Aligarh Muslim University in1972 before joining electoral politics.
ABDUL QAYOOM WANI
The people’s Democratic Party has fielded the former tradeunion leader, Wani as its nominee from the constituency.
Wani hails from Tangmarg area and lead state governmentemployees before joining the PDP. He says he would work with the same spiritfor the people of Kashmir as he did for the employees, if elected to theparliament and represent the sentiments of the people of J&K.
He also says that his priority would be to projectimportance of talks between India and Pakistan and try to ensure the Kashmir issueis no more neglected in New Delhi and special status of the state is protectedat all costs.
“My priority is not to enjoy the state politics or to runafter ministerial birth. I am going to parliament with a mission and thatmission is to get people of the state out from distress and agony” Wani said.
RAJA AIJAZ ALI
Fielded by the Peoples Conference, Ali, a former policeofficer who headed the Crime Branch believes earlier members of parliament whowere elected from Jammu and Kashmir had disappointed the people.
Ali, 67, said if elected he will work for the development ofBaramulla parliamentary constituency besides ensuring that political rights ofpeople of Jammu and Kashmir are safeguarded.
“The Srinagar-Uri national highway, four-laning of which wasapproved during the Vajpayee’s government has been put in abeyance. I willraise this issue and ensure that we are not deprived of development,” Ali said.
The PC nominee for parliament believes if Bangas valley wasproperly developed for tourism it would change the fortunes of northern Kashmirand reduce unemployment. Ali sees a huge potential for tourism in Lolab andGurez area of Bandipora.
“I will raise these issues in parliament and will ensureforward movement on the same, “Ali said.
On the political front, Ali exhorts that there is no betterplace than parliament where political rights for J&K can be defend andrestored.
Standing for an election for the time, Ali says no power candeprive “us of our political rights” which are guaranteed under special statusof J&K. He believes if the states special status was removed then 40constitutional amendments in the regard made in the past would also stand nulland void.
“I will work on developmental front as well as politicalrights of the state. I believe parliament is a place where I can fight morevigorously for the rights of my people,” Ali says.
The former IGP Crime says if elected he would demand settingup a commission to look into the reasons why after 1987 our youths took toarms.
He also wants to work on plugging “loopholes” in the systemthat deals with insurgency in the state.