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| NC’s traditional house loosing touch | | |
RAMAN SHARMA
Jammu, Jan 11: Besides its plough to ‘furrow the rural sentiments’, the Gujjar connection has always remained a major hallmark of National Conference politics which is now following a steady ‘symbolic’ decline in Jammu region.
For decades, Gujjars constituted a secure and dependable vote bank of the National Conference for an emotional and then a cogent reason –Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s wife, Begum Akbar Jahan –popularly known as Madr-e-Meharban –came from a Gujjar mother. She had a feel and concern for the community and community for her. This mutual affection was complimentary and whenever National Conference came to power, the connection was paid well –Gujjar Hostels, inns, shopping complexes, community halls etc came up at almost all district headquarters.
Till recently the Gujjars, when reach polling stations, would ask only one thing –where is sign of the plough –this has been irrespective of whosoever the local candidate is. In past one decade this community bloc is being seen steadily slipping away from their traditional party as many from the old guard either passed away or parted ways and other parties quietly made strong inroads into the community.
In present legislative assembly, the National Conference has come with only one member from the Gujjar community among its 28 winners and that too from Kashmir Valley. NC’s influence among Gujjars had remained quite indomitable in districts of Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi. This time these three districts have elected three Gujjar candidates but two from Congress and one from the PDP. In one constituency a PDP nominee Gujjar candidate lost to Congress by a margin of over 300 votes.
In twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, National Conference had given tickets to only two Gujjar candidates. While one finished third –Layakat Ali in Rajouri –another lost narrowly –Javed Rana in Mendhar. Rana though improved his vote share significantly by adding around 5,000 votes into what he polled in 2002 elections but NC could not fetch any seat in the region where it influence had remained unchallenged for decades.
Politically conscious members of the community feel that National Conference leadership has lost touch with the Gujjars who always stood with the party. “NC had programes and policies for Gujjars which attracted the community to party but now all these gestures are missing”, says Shabir Ahmed a community activist from Rajouri.
Maintaining a balance between Gujjars and Pahari communities has always been an itching subject for the parties. When the post of Vice Chairman, Gujjar Advisory Board fell vacant upon demise of towering leader Haji Buland Khan in 2007, the PDP-Congress coalition government could not fill the vacancy for a reason. Both partners in the ruling alliance wanted the post go their party man and they could never decide.
Now since again there is a coalition, the grassroots Gujjar workers of National Conference want the Advisory Board come to their party share for initiating a process of revival of party in the community. Among the potential National Conference men to resurrect a way in the community, Javed Rana is seen as a leader with following and experience. Rana had won the 2002 election with a record margin but lost 2008 election with a narrow margin of over 700 votes.
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