By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : With Gujjars and Pahari-speaking people on a collision course, the bye-election to vacant Poonch Haveli assembly state may prove to be a litmus test for different political parties, mainly to National Conference and Congress.
Political observers believe that volatile situation that may assume shape of an imbroglio, is going to give tough time to political parties going to the bye-polls in December, this year.
A National Conference leader preferring anonymity told News Agency of Kashmir that the party which has a strong base in Poonch district can not afford to turn blind eye on Pahari speaking people but at the same time has to amuse Gujjars as well.
He said, “Party leaders Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari and Javed Ahmed Rana besides Bashir Ahmed Naz have been asked by the party high command to evolve a strategy so that party sails through the turbulent situation and the number game works out properly.”
After the death of party legislator GM Jan, the Poonch Haveli seat had been lying vacant, for which Election Commission of India has declared December 12 as the polling date.
Political observers told News Agency of Kashmir that Pahari speaking population in Rajoui and Poonch districts is being wooed by the Congress over the issue of ST status to them.
It may also be recalled here that during the tenure of PDP, much to the delight of Gujars Gojri language was included in the eighth schedule of the Indian constitution.
“So by all parameters Congress has an upper edge for the coming elections,” claimed a Congress leader.
He said, “National Conference itself is a divided house as far as Poonch Haveli seat is concerned. Party president Omar Abdullah favours Aijaz Ahmed Jan while party patron Farooq Abdullah has inducted Dr Shehnaz Ganai—daughter of late minister Ghulam Ahmed Ganai into the party.”
“However, a section in the party strongly advocates dark horse Bashir Ahmed Naaz,” he said.
About pre-poll alliance between Congress and PDP, he said, “Since Congress and PDP are coalition partners the latter may not contest the elections but would definitely support Congress.”
“Congress has an upper edge over other political parties and we are sure to come out successful after the elections,” he claimed.
But National Conference has a different take on the coming polls. Sources within the party told NAK that party legislator Syed Muhstaq Ahmed Bukhari has been asked to play ST status card for the Pahari speaking people while Mendhar legislator Javed Ahmed Rana has been directed to keep intact Gujjar vote bank.
It may be mentioned here that Pahari Cultural and Welfare Forum and Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation representing Pahari speaking people and Gujjars respectively have been on a collision course over the issue of ST status.
In latest development Gujjars have urged Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to intervene and immediately ban alleged provocative material published by the Pahari Cultural and Welfare Forum.
In a letter to Azad Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation has expressed grave concern over anti-Gujjar material and pamphlets allegedly published by the Pahari Cultural and Welfare Forum (PCWF).
Giving details about the letter National Secretary Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation Dr Javaid Rahi described the material as politically motivated having selfish ends.
He said that it has been deliberately done keeping in view prospective elections.
He said, “Anti-Gujjar material is in the shape of three types of pamphlets and booklets having provocative statements against Gujjars of the state vis- a-vis their tribal status.”
“Such booklets also tried to marginalize and minimize the population of Gujjar tribe in the state and also have teased the social structure of Gujjars. All the three book lets have published by Pahari Cultural and Welfare Forum (PCWF) and distributed in various parts of the state including boarder belts of Poonch Rajouri and power corridors of the state,” Dr Rahi said.