Opinion
-
News Analysis
Keeping it in the family
|
In Jammu and Kashmir, the ruling, Opposition and separatist camps have one thing in common. Leadership passes from father to son or daughter. SHUJAAT BUKHARI reports on the trend.
|
THE FIRST public uprising in the modern history of Kashmir, witnessed in the early 1930s, was against "Shakhsi Raaj" or one man's rule. That is how the State of Jammu and Kashmir could get rid of hundreds of years of monarchy. A democratic set-up slowly came into place.
But now dynastic rule is making a strong comeback. The ruling, the Opposition and the separatist camps in the State have one thing in common. Leadership of the outfits passes from father to son or daughter. A whole new generation is set to take over the State's politics.
These people are from the third generation after the subcontinent was divided. It was the youthful Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who, though in tragic circumstances, first donned the political-cum-religious mantle of his own dynasty immediately after his father, Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq, was gunned down in May 1990.
Though only a teenager at that time, he became the first chairman of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), and his presentations at international fora impressed even his adversaries.
With a strong vote bank in downtown Srinagar, the Mirwaiz succeeded in maintaining the religious legacy his father carried on after the expulsion of Mirwaiz Yousuf Shah, head priest of Kashmir, by Sheikh Abdullah during the freedom movement. In 1996, two women decided to contest the Assembly elections. A hostile atmosphere, surcharged with killings and atrocities against women, did not deter Mehbooba Mufti and Sakina Itoo from going to the people for a mandate.
Both had a political background and made it to the Assembly in their maiden attempt.
Beginning as leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the House, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's daughter made her name as a vocal Opposition leader finally forming her own regional outfit, the People's Democratic Party.
Ms. Itoo's entry into politics was again the result of a tragedy. Her father, a former Speaker of the Assembly, Wali Mohammad Itoo, was shot dead by militants in Jammu in 1995. She abandoned her MBBS degree halfway to become a Minister in the State. Another surprise in 1996 was Ajat Shatru Singh entering politics as a candidate of the National Conference, the very party that led a revolt against his grandfather, Maharaja Hari Singh's rule.
Omar Abdullah completes the picture — set to take over the party his grandfather, Sheikh Abdullah, formed and his father, Farooq Abdullah, now leads. Omar's joining politics opened a new chapter in Kashmir's history. From day one he was seen as the successor to his father.
Often referred to as the "brightest minister" in the Vajpayee Government, Omar has carved a niche for himself by proving more confident than his seniors. If his father moves to Rashtrapati Bhavan, his transfer to the State is certain.
The list of wards following in their fathers' footsteps does not end here. Khalid Najib Suhrawardy, Minister of State for Home, represented Doda constituency after his illustrious father, Moulana Attaullah Suhrawardy, died in 1996. He was a long time associate of Sheikh Abdullah.
Same is the case with Sajjad Kitchloo, son of the former Minister, Bashir Ahmed Kitchloo, who died last year. In all probability, Sajjad will be the NC candidate from Kishtwar. He already holds a post in the party's district unit in Doda.
The senior NC leader and Housing Minister, Mohiuddin Shah, has already introduced his son, Irfan Shah, as the party's district president in Srinagar. Ali Mohammad Sagar is also projecting his commerce graduate son, Salman. They even appeared together on a TV show. Salman is being tipped for a post in the NC youth.
The plans of Sajjad Shafi, doctor son of the Education Minister, Mohammad Shafi, to join politics are no secret either. He may not be in a position to replace his father very soon, but may formally join the party in the near future. Getting married into another political family (of the Finance Minister, A.R. Rather) is seen as an added advantage for him.
The latest entrant among the "legal heirs" of the National Conference is Raman Mattoo, son-in-law of the former Law Minister, P.L. Handoo, who died early last year. Though his son was also projected as his successor, Raman got a headstart by making an appearance at a public meeting in Habbakadal, the constituency Handoo represented in the Assembly.
Apart from Mirwaiz Umar, Sajjad Lone is so far the only one in the separatist camp who has made public his intentions of following his father's line. In fact, he was at the epicentre of a "political show" which was witnessed in November 2000 when he got married to the daughter of the JKLF leader, Amanullah Khan, in Islamabad. Both have started their political careers by writing articles which articulate the need for a process of reconciliation in Kashmir. These are aimed at defining a roadmap for Kashmir's future.The couple was also seen on a TV show recently, proposing a "way out" for Kashmir. Lone's daughter, Shabnum, is also reportedly toying with the idea of "contesting elections".
Not to be left out is the former Chief Minister, G.M. Shah's son, Muzaffar, who is an office-bearer of the Awami National Conference.
Lately, the young Shia leader, Aga Roohullah, was crowned successor of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, a prominent Congrees leader who was killed in a landmine blast set off by militants a year back. And, Imran Raza, son of Moulana Iftikhar Ansari, who was a Minister in the Farooq Government and dropped on corruption charges, is also coming home to rule his chunk of followers after he finishes studies in Damascus.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Opinion
|
