Former J&K legislators look to form joint front ahead of polls

At the time of political realignment in the state after dissolution of assembly, three senior politicians and former legislators Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen and Ghulam Muhammad Mir are mulling to form a joint front ahead of the assembly elections.

The trio have done a few meetings jointly and are strategizing to evolve a front, which would fight the elections on common agenda. However, they clarified that they are not going to join front led by Sajjad Lone of People’s Conference, because of its allegiance with the BJP.

Interestingly, special representative for J&K appointed in October last year, Dineshwar Sharma also met Mir at his HMT residence on November 30, where Tarigami and Yaseen were also present. However, Mir said it was his personal meeting with Sharma and other two happened to be there on same day.


“We are expecting that a decisive front will emerge who will try to live up to the expectations of people. We are grouping of likeminded people and strive for resolution of all our problems. But we cannot join hands with BJP,” Yaseen, of JK People’s Democratic Front, who has won three times from Khansahib constituency of Budgam in central Kashmir.

This forum, Yaseen said would try to fight elections on common agenda, which will be pro-people seeking an end to the sufferings. He confirmed that he met Sharma at Mir’s residence and urged him to start dialogue with people who don’t agree with them.

“I told Sharmaji that there was no forward movement since your appointment last year. You should start an unconditional dialogue with those who disagree with you (Hurriyat),” said Yaseen.

After an unexpected move of NC, PDP and Congress forming a coalition in November to stake claim for the government formation, Lone of PC also staked the claim and the political drama ended with J&K Governor Satyapal Sharma dissolving the assembly.

Now all the parties fueling the speculations claim that former legislators from other parties may join them soon.