Mubashir Alam Wani
Srinagar, Jan 8: Dr. Waleed Tariq Karra, son of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief, Tariq Hamid Karra, has announced his transition from a full-time medical professional to mainstream politics, marking the continuation of his family’s three-generation political legacy.
Dr. Waleed, a former Resident Dermatologist at GMC Srinagar, said that his foray into politics was primarily driven by his father’s wish to uphold the family’s political legacy, which spans three generations.
“I was reluctant towards politics; my interests were sports, poetry, and music. However, the legacy of political service, carried forward by my father and other family members, compelled me to take on this new role,” he said.
Dr. Waleed disclosed that he was poised to contest the 2024 Assembly elections from the Eidgah constituency. However, due to a pre-poll alliance agreement, he had to withdraw his candidacy.
Having officially joined the Congress as a party worker, Dr. Waleed said that he has no interest in holding any official post. His focus, he said, is on grassroots development and serving the people of the Central-Salitang constituency. He said he was already playing an active role under his father’s guidance.
He said under his father’s guidance, he has taken charge of the works committee, tasked with overseeing developmental initiatives and concerns in the Central Shaletang constituency.
Dr. Waleed highlighted his commitment to addressing issues in the Central Shaletang constituency. He said he was acting as an ‘unofficial’ representative and that recently he was overseeing snow clearance and addressing winter-related challenges like electricity issues.
He said he aims to collaborate with the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to develop a sustainable, futuristic model for urban development, drawing inspiration from global standards in countries like the US and Europe.
