PDP Is a Pro-people Party: Bashir Ahmad Mir

PDP Is a Pro-people Party: Bashir Ahmad Mir

Bashir Ahmad Mir is the emerging face of Peoples Democratic Party, one of the leading mainstream party of Jammu & Kashmir state. Aged 32 years, Bashir Ahmad is also a prominent businessman. He happens to be the vice-president of PDP in Ganderbal District& President Baltal Traders Federation. In the last assembly elections, he was PDP candidate from Kangan constituency and offered stiff competition to Main Altaf, the State forest minister and prominent face of Ruling National Conference Party.

In an exclusive interview with “The Kashmir Scenario”, Bashir Ahmad talks to Kaiser A. Mir & Rameez Makhdoomi.

Tell us about your personal profile?

I belong to an agricultural family and completed B.A from Ganderbal Degree College in 2005-2006. I started a camping agency business at Kangan, currently as vice president of district Gandrebal I was college president and also president of traders union here and was among the first voices to bring the historical issue of land transfer to shrine board issue.

How you started your political career?

 I had no family political background, but I was student of political science and I was college president during my college days. I am also president of traders unions. Our area is doing business at Baltal- I used to take various issues of traders and resolve them and was first to bring the issue of land transfer to shrine board issue. In 2008, I along with traders went to press colony for protest against the transfer of land. I always got lot of support from people and then I got mandate from PDP to contest 2008 assembly election from Kangan constituency.

What were you more passionate about business or politics?

This was never in my mind that I will be in politics. It was what i would say as in my fate and people also used to tell me I should be in election then I got mandate from PDP. But, business was my first choice

How you got motivated for politics?

I first showed reluctance and I was pro- movement – thousands here have been martyred and no solution of Kashmir has been found. We have a feeling here that election is against will of our political movement. But, when I saw PDP party leadership I got motivated that they are pro-people and i made up my mind to contest the election. Also my mind is to serve my area and I want to fight for my people.

Since you played a prominent role in highlighting Amarnath land controversy-If we look to past, and also 2008, 2009 and 2010 movement were linked to what you did. Do you feel that you made a history?

Yes in 2008 movement I played a main role, even when leadership showed reluctance to act against transfer of land. Newspapers wrote that here traders from Kangan are worried about the land issue and leaders are not. I spoke to N.N. vohra and said to him if this land belongs to us why it has been given in a fraudulent manner. He down played it and said I don`t know about that. Let me mention here we are also fighting for our resources the river Sind- which is rich in trout fishes etc. Also we have rule has given by High court rulling that 250 ft should be left gap for construction of hotel or for camp but at Baltal during Yatra this law is not followed. We are losing lot due to this. Water gets contaminated.

What are your future views about participating in elections?

I am part of PDP and i am proud to be part of it. Under leadership of Mufti Mohammad Syed we are moving ahead.  I am very mush inspired by his energetic persona. In Kashmir there was a trust deficit among people. Now, People are not much suppressed by security forces it’s because of efforts of PDP. I personally believe that Mufti sahib has fulfilled his promises. Mufti sahib is a great diplomat and has achieved laurels for his people what even big leaders like Sheikh Abdullah can`t.

What were your expectations before elections?

When I was in election every one told me that you will have to be contended with an average performance – someone told me above 500 is good. But I was sure that I will give tough competition.

What your view about election boycott policy?

Let me tell you that India propagates election in wrong manner the Indian state propagates elections meant for governance as referendum which is quiet wrong. We on our part cannot let wrong people to go into governance politics.

What would you like to contribute to solution of Kashmir?

Inshah-Allah I will and it would be my good fortune i told you that our party is for interests of masses. We don`t want blood of people .Let me tell you the present Government is not worried even about 140 youth killed. 90% killed were students but Omar Government has failed to provide justice. I would definitely play a proactive role in getting respectable solution to politic problem of my people.

Did your business affected by politics?

No my brothers and father help me, even my father supported me for politics though he knows nothing about politics but he trusted me completely and gave me freedom to choose. He helped me lot even my brothers also helped me lot.

What are your views on ongoing movement against corruption in India?

It is good movement and people are supporting it. But here in Kashmir we are fighting for basic justice and fight for corruption comes in next level.

How would you differentiate business and politics?

Business is personal but politics is much broader you are connected to more people and your responsibilities are more in the political world.