The Hindu : No anti-incumbency factor in Charar-e-Sharief

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 21, 2002

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No anti-incumbency factor in Charar-e-Sharief

By Shujaat Bukhari

KANIR (CHARAR-E-SHARIEF) SEPt. 20. The high-profile Budgam constituency is an exception when it comes to anti-incumbency wave which is believed to have swept the other parts of the Valley. Here the wave has not overshadowed the tremendous development.

With the Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister, Abdur Raheem Rather present today at Kanir in Charar-e-Sharief, one of the five Assembly segments in Budgam district, there was a festive air there.

Though Mr. Rather faces a tough contest from the People's Democratic Party nominee, Ghulam Nabi Lone, he has been able to mobilise the people to defy militant threats and boycott calls by separatists.

Proudly called ``Sher-e-Budgam'' (Lion of Budgam) by his supporters, Mr. Rather tried to make a dent in one of the pockets where the PDP holds sway. Right from Hardachatti Chakpora to Chalyach, Hushroo and Wagam, he drew large crowds who believe that Mr. Rather is the architect of the modern Charar-e-Sharief. Still, he has opposition in the Panzan belt where people feel let down over not having pucca roads.

But in almost all the small and big hamlets, Mr. Rather has laid macadamised roads and provided school buildings, healthcare, employment and water supply. ``He is our popular leader who has no match,'' said Abdul Majid, one of his supporters. There seems to be no anti-incumbency factor in this area as people only pray for his success.

One of the residents in Chalyach recalled how the militants had made this village a centre for issuing ``death warrants''. ``Now see how people are taking part in the electoral process,'' says Mohammad Ramzan adding ``this is because there is development''. He told the Minister that there was no demand from the village at present and ``we will come to you later''.

In the small villages enroute Kanir, Mr. Rather was given a warm reception. With two days left for the campaigning, Mr. Rather had his daughter, Shugufta, and son-in-law, Sajjad Shafi (son of the Education Minister, Mohammad Shafi), as his companions to attract the youth. It took him several hours to reach Kanir where he addressed a huge gathering.

Since Charar-e-Sharief has always remained volatile with the two-month long siege in 1995 culminating in the tragic fire the famous shrine of Kthe ashmiri saint Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani, it has become a battleground for the Opposition and the ruling party.

``It was once identified with the Afghan warlord, Mast Gul, who led a band of militants in the shrine, now the peace has returned here and people are actively participating in the democratic process,'' says Mohammad Ayub, a shopkeeper, but he still apprehends escalation in violence which may keep people indoors on September 24 when the segments would go to polls in the second phase.

Charar-e-Sharief is among the few constituencies where the National Conference is believed to have an edge over the Opposition due to Mr. Rather's contribution in the area. However, this time it is not a cakewalk for the Finance Minister who is seeking re-election for the fifth consecutive election time from here.

The PDP vice-president, Mehbooba Mufti, also addressed a well-attended gathering here a few days ago.

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