Umaisar Gull Ganie
Kulgam, Sep 10: Four-time MLA and senior CPI (M) leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, who is consensus candidate of the National Conference- Congress coalition, is facing one of the toughest electoral battles in his home turf here. The man challenging him is 42-year-old Sayar Ahmad Reshi, an independent candidate backed by Jamaat-e- Islamia, a socio-politico-religious group which was banned by the Union Government in 2019.
Sayar Ahmed Reshi and his supporters stunned everyone in Kashmir by holding an impressive election rally in Bugam area of Kulgam on Sunday.
A resident of Kharote village of Kulgam, Sayar Ahmed Reshi is popularly known as “Sayar Sir” among younger generation here for his services in educational sector.
Sayar, who holds M. Phil in political sciences, has worked as contractual lecturer in Government degree colleges of Kulgam and Anantnag.
His foray into the education sector expanded when he took up the role of Assistant Director at Falah Aam Trust (FAT), an organisation responsible for running several educational institutions in J&K.
Sayar said that he decided to enter into politics after witnessing the dismal state of Kulgam due to rampant corruption, capitalist dominance and the misuse of government funds.
“I felt compelled to act. The politics here has been reduced to a vote-bank game, leaving those who oppose the elected representatives in distress. I didn’t plan for this journey into politics, but somewhere, I believe, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala accepted my prayers,” he said.
Sayar said that the schools and other institutions affiliated with the banned Jamaat played a crucial role in shaping society, both morally and religiously.
“The ultimate goal was always the betterment of our community. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. Since then, I wanted to serve as a voice for the people, in whatever capacity I can,” he said.
He said that response to his electoral campaign has been unbelievable in every aspect
“People who have been victims of injustice from the last 30 years are coming out and showing up. Furthermore, beyond the youth, women, elders and intellectual class who don’t seek personal benefits but rather the betterment of society are showing their support immensely,” he said.
Before the eruption of armed militancy in Kashmir, the Kulgam segment witnessed a direct fight between National Conference and Jamaat-e-Islamia (JeI).
In 1987 when JeI was part of Muslim United Front, its candidate Abdul Razak Mir won the segment by 3576 votes.
In 1972, JeI also won the seat.
