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| Rafi Ahmed Mir, Safe sailor from Pahalgam constituency | | |
Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
For Rafi Ahmed Mir it was a safe seat nourished by the Muftis. Mehbooba Mufti of Peoples Democratic Party was elected from here in 2002 defeating his nearest NC rival Rafi Ahmad Mir by a margin of 2139 votes. Mufti polled 8,544 votes while as Mir received 6,405. The total electorate in 2002 elections in Pahalgam was 57,363. Of this 18,940 voters cast their votes. The poll percentage was recorded at 33.01.
In 2008 election Rafi Ahmed Mir defeats Altaf Ahmad Wani of NC by margin of eleven thousand votes securing to 24316 votes against 13,394 votes. Rafi had an interaction with ET correspondent where he briefed in detail about his constituency and other development works. Some of the excerpts.
Belonging to a big political family Rafi Ahmed Mir son of ex-MLC, MLA late GA Mir who worked with Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, during 1953 - 1959. His forefathers remain closed to Government officials and Maharaja. His grandfather late Mohi-ud-Din Mir was also managing the affairs of Amarnath Yatra.
About Pahalgam constituency, he said it extends from Mattan on one side and from Sirigufwara from other side. It consists of two blocks -Dachnipora and Khowripora bisecting the river lidder whose origin is from famous Sheshnag. Rafi Mir as a college student did lot of political activity. He also remained chairman, MC Pahalgam in 1984, and worked as a social worker in NGO green Pahalgam. Became MLA first time in 1987 from NC. In 1996, he didn't get mandate and in 2002, got ticket from NC and fought elections against Mehbooba. In 2004, by-poll, I contested against Mufti Mohd. Sayeed and joined PDP in 2007. I got nominated as MLC in 2008 and got elected as MLA in 2008 elections defeating Altaf Kaloo of NC by a margin of 11000 votes. For Pahalgam, we had plans for upper class tourists and pilgrim tourists. Golf course will be made international level. Bisaran is a good picnic spot, besides Batkoot development part and extention of Akkard park. Present government is not paying attention to our constituency. So far, 25 new schools, 8 upgraded in my area. Our constituency is rich in forest and government should pay attention to our area. On PDP-Cong coalition government, he said it was natural coalition and there was a sea of change from 2002 - 2008. As far as NC-Cong coalition is concerned, it is working in opposite direction and have no common minimum programme. Law and order problem increasing, unemployment, scarcity of ration, electricity are major problem people facing during this coalition government. Our leaders Mufti Mohd had a vision of bright Kashmir and can take the state in an new era of peace and prosperity.
Electoral Background of Pahalgam constituency
Pahalgam constituency has thrown mixed results. Then known as Dachinpora, this constituency was represented by NC members Ghulam Ahmad Mir and Mohammad Syed in 1957 and 1962 Assembly polls. Makhan Lal Fotedar of the Congress won this seat in 1967 and 1972 while as PL Handoo of NC was returned from this constituency in 1977 and 1983. Rafi Ahmad and Abdul Kabir Bhat of NC won this constituency in 1987 and 1996 Assembly elections. It may be mentioned here that after election to Lok Sabha in 2004, the 2002 winner Mehbooba Mufti had resigned the seat causing bye-election in the constituency which was held in October, 2004. PDP patron and then CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was elected from this constituency defeating his NC rival Rafi Ahmad Mir. Interestingly Mir later joined the PDP and was later nominated as member of other legislative council. |
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