SIYASAT: ‘Normalcy’ in the state is core priority of Congress: PCC Chief Mir

In the 5th episode of SIYASAT, Deepak Khajuria (The News Now- TNN) interacts with J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Ghulam Admad Mir who overtly speaks about present political scenario and asserts that ‘normalcy’ in the state is core priority of Congress and foresees the party will win with thumping majority in all the three regions.
However Mir covertly criticizes Governor led administration saying actions are guided by some parties who have failed to work in the state and now through present administration they are getting those works done.
Some of the excerpts of the full interview appeared on The News Now (TNN) web portal are as under:

TNN: As the state is moving towards elections, what is Congress’s stake in the State?
Mir: Observing the present situations and hard toiling by party cadre in different regions of the state whether it is Ladakh or Kashmir or Jammu, I anticipate that Congress will emerge as a single largest party and will win with good majority in all the three regions.

TNN: Do you feel that Congress should make some changes in its manifestos and strategies to perform well in the upcoming elections?
Mir: Yes, our party workers under a planed strategy are working hard on grass root to garner support of people. Three years ago our party President Mr Rahul Gandhi had formed a High Level Policy Planning group on National level which was headed by the former Prime Minister Dr Mohan Singh. The objective of formation of this group was to be acquainted with the gap between the people really need and what government is providing them. During last three to four years, our party cadre made has ground by interacting with people from different regions and groups as well to know about aspirations and held deliberations to redress the issues. Keeping in view all their issues, Congress will form a manifesto to address the issues in a new way and with new approach. Only the Congress had addressed majority issues of Jammu and Kashmir State.

TNN: If Congress has failed as an opposition in the last 4 yrs, what is your opinion?
Mir: No, instead we have shouldered out responsibly as opposition very well. And our party has adopted decent approach to work as responsible opposition. At the same time we dedicatedly moved to people and had held over 700 conventions/meetings all over the country giving a platform to the general public where they can talk about their problems. This way the government become aware of the issues of people and was forced to address them.

TNN: Who will lead the party in state , is it you or Ghulam Nabi Azad?
Mir: I am not an authority to comment on this. It is prerogative of high command to decide over the issue and that will be the final.

TNN: As per reports raising local issues was the success mantra of Congress in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Are you planning the same strategy in Jammu region also?
Mir: Yes, even in a better way we will take up all the issues of people of state as per regional and local aspirations itself to garner local support .

TNN: What will be main agenda of Congress for the upcoming elections?
Mir: Priority of Congress is to bring normalcy in state. Once normalcy is achieved, it certainly will lead to development enhancing employments avenues which will pave way to peace in our state. Besides normalcy in the state, other core issues will be developing tourism and providing ration to the people and other people oriented issues. We will take up all those issues which will benefits each section of the society.

TNN: Any space for pre poll alliance during forthcoming polls in J&K?
Mir (candidly replies): Our last alliance was with National Conference in 1987 after that our party had not done Pre poll alliance. He promptly adds Congress may look for an alliance with like-minded secular parties so that votes do not get divided. However he clarifies that it will be cleared with which party our party will join alliance once elections are held and result is declared.

TNN: What are your opinions about present Governor’s Administration?
Mir: We respect the Governor as a person, he also have a political background. But he has made some remarks about the working of the central government in our state. His actions seemingly give impression of being guided by parties who have failed to work in the state and now through him are getting woks done especially those which they failed to manage while being in power.

TNN: How you see the present situation in J&K?
Mir: It has worsened as compared to 2014 as at that time, situation was not that bad and there was 80% average polling but now this figure have dropped to 7.5%.
TNN: Do you think, BJP- PDP alliance is responsible for ‘chaos’ in J&K state?
Mir: Yes, their programmes and policies have failed to fulfill the needs of common people which results in aggression among the people. All violence and civilian killings are the outcome of wrong doing of previous regime.

TNN: Congress describes itself as a ‘secular; party yet it has not nominated a Hindu to become the CM or party’s state chief?
Mir: It is usually seen and is a ‘thumb rule’ in majority of the states that Chief Minister is appointed from majority population. Our State has the majority of Muslim population and thus our state has a Muslim Chief Minister, but if a person is worthy for post, he /she certainly will be appointed as such.

TNN: Who do see a strong competitor to Congress in the upcoming elections?
Mir: In Ladakh region, there is no competition whereas in Kashmir region, National Conference and People Democratic Party will be a challenge. In Jammu region, the fight will be between Congress with BJP.

TNN: If Congress gets majority in Jammu region, will it be able to form its government?
Mir: Yes, definitely, in Jammu region. I think they will not get that much mandate in Jammu again and it will prove an ‘advantage’ to Congress.