In a heated exchange during the ongoing election campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, Ram Madhav, in-charge of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accused the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of leveraging support from former militants. Madhav stated, “We will remind the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the NC, PDP, and others have brought out manifestos to take Kashmir back to pre-Article 370 days... I see ex-militants openly campaigning for the NC and PDP.”
PDP's Counterattack: BJP's former militants
In response, senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar pointed out the BJP's ties to former militants. He highlighted Sajad Lone, leader of the People's Conference, as an example of a separatist reintegrating into the mainstream. Akhtar noted, “A majority of the BJP's cadre comprises former militants,” emphasising the irony of the BJP's accusations given its history.
A list of candidates with militant histories:
BJP
Despite its relative newness in Kashmir politics, the BJP has several candidates with past militant connections:
- Abdul Rehman Lone: Abdul Rehman Lone serves as the BJP's constituency in-charge for Lolab and is a member of the party's state unit. Previously, he held the position of Kupwara district president and ran for the Assembly in 2014 on a BJP ticket, although he did not win. Controversially, police records indicate that Lone was a Pakistan-trained militant who was active in Kupwara during 1990-91, having affiliations with the Al Jihad militant outfit.
- Fayaz Ahmad Najar: Fayaz Ahmad Najar is the Baramulla BJP general secretary and currently serves as the election in-charge for the district. A resident of Sultanpora, he previously led the BJP's state OBC morcha, showcasing his significant involvement in local politics. However, his past as a Pakistan-trained militant has raised concerns, as police records indicate that he was active in the Kreeri area and its surroundings during 1990-91.
- Abdul Rehman Tikri: Abdul Rehman Tikri, a former president of the BJP's Bandipora district, contested the 2014 Assembly elections on a party ticket but faced defeat. His past is marked by associations with the Al Barq and Al Jihad militant outfits, where he was active in Bandipora and its neighboring areas. After surrendering, Tikri transitioned to a role as a Special Police Officer, serving in law enforcement until 2006, when he decided to enter politics.
- Abdul Majeed Mir: Abdul Majeed Mir a resident of Saloora in Ganderbal, has held significant political roles as a BJP councillor and vice-chairman of the Ganderbal Municipal Committee. However, his past complicates his political narrative; police records indicate that he crossed over to Pakistan for armed training during the early years of militancy in the 1990s.
- Basharat Majeed Mir: Basharat Majeed Mir, a resident of Usman Abad in Kupwara, currently serves as the district media head for the BJP in the region. His political engagement is underscored by a controversial past, as police records indicate that he crossed over to Pakistan for arms training in 2001 and was active as a militant in his area for some time.
- Ghulam Mohidin Sofi: Ghulam Mohidin Sofi is the BJP district president for Baramulla and a nominee to the party's state working committee. Residing in Kreeri, Sofi's past is marked by his involvement in militancy, with police records showing he was locally trained and active from 1990 to 1992.
- Javid Ahmad Mir: Javid Ahmad Mir is the vice-president of the J&K unit of the BJP Kisan Morcha and previously served as the Kupwara district president of the farmers' body. A resident of Qaziabad in Kupwara, he has a complicated history, having served time in detention for a year and facing a case related to the Arms Act at Kralgund Police Station.
- Zahoor Ahmad Sheikh: A resident of Kuchmulla Tral, contested the DDC elections as a BJP candidate but faced defeat. His background is notable; police records indicate that he crossed over to Pakistan in 1994 and was an active militant until 2011.
- Gulzar Ahmad Malik: Gulzar Ahmad Malik, who previously held the position of Kupwara district president of the BJP Minority Morcha, is a resident of Handwara with a controversial past. According to police sources, he was a Pakistan-trained militant active during the initial years of the armed insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Farooq Ahmad Khan: Farooq Ahmad Khan contested the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) elections on a BJP ticket in 2018 but was unsuccessful. Known by his code name Saifullah Faooq during his militant days, his past includes crossing over to Pakistan for training in the early 1990s, with police records indicating his return to the Valley through Nepal in 2011.
- Ashraf Mohammad Hajam: Ashraf Mohammad Hajam, often referred to as Ashraf 'Azad,' is one of the first members of the BJP in Kashmir and has been known to host visiting dignitaries of the party. Residing in Hakermullah in Soibugh Budgam, he has a complicated past; police records indicate that he was a locally trained militant, active in 1993.
PDP and NC candidates with militant backgrounds
On the other side, both the PDP and NC have candidates with known militant histories:
- Gulzar Ahmad Dar: Gulzar Ahmad Dar is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate contesting from the DHPora Assembly seat in South Kashmir. His past is marked by significant controversy; he crossed over to Pakistan for arms training in 1990 and returned to the Valley a year later, where he became associated with the Muslim Mujahideen. Police records indicate that Dar surrendered in 1994, subsequently joining a counterinsurgent force backed by the government for two years.
- Saif-ud-din Bhat: Saif-ud-din Bhat is the National Conference (NC) candidate representing Khansahib, with a history that includes involvement in militancy, as documented in police records. Bhat has served time in jail and has navigated a tumultuous political landscape, initially aligning with the Congress before joining the PDP and eventually switching to the NC. His political career includes previous election bids on the PDP ticket in 2008 and 2014, reflecting the shifting allegiances and the intricate dynamics of party politics in Jammu and Kashmir.
AAP's involvement: Another former militant
Sheikh Fida Hussain: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also finds itself in this complex political landscape, with Sheikh Fida Hussain, a candidate in Devsar, having a documented militant past. According to police records, Hussain was previously involved in militancy, which significantly impacted his career as a police constable. He was dismissed from his position after being arrested alongside a militant during a gunfight. Following his arrest, Hussain served one-and-a-half years in jail, and a case against him remains chargesheeted before the TADA court.
Usman Majeed: A journey from militancy to independent politics in Bandipora
And talking about independent candidacy, Usman Majeed, a two-time MLA from Bandipora, is set to contest the upcoming elections as an Independent candidate. His political journey has been marked by significant shifts; after leaving militancy in the mid-1990s, he joined the counterinsurgency Ikhwan group. Majeed initially entered politics with the Congress party and later switched to the Apni Party three years ago. Recently, he parted ways with the Apni Party, indicating his intent to foster a direct connection with his constituents.
