'Our goal is same means are different'
A doctor by education and training, Mehboob Beg is one of the most vocal leaders of ruling National Conference. He is son of Late Mirza Afzal Baig, once a close confidante of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Active in politics for more than 30 years, Dr Beg was one among the 16 MLA's who deserted the NC in 1984 to help Late G M Shah to form a government with the support of Congress. However, he returned to NC later and was elected to the parliament in 2009 elections which the NC-Congress fought jointly. Beg is again testing the waters in the Anantnag parliamentary constituency which goes to polls on April 24. He is facing a contest from opposition PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, which makes it more interesting. In a free-wheeling interview to Rising Kashmir's Online Editor Daanish Bin Nabi, he talks about his stint as MP, the opponents and the dynamics of current elections: Excerpts:
·
I tried my best to plead the case of Afzal Guru
·
We believe in Indian Constitution and India’s forums like
Parliament
·
Incidents of killing is not good for any sitting government be it
NC, PDP or Congress
·
Land to the landless tiller was Mirza Afzal Beg’s brainchild
·
Boycott may happen in cities and town but in rural areas it is bit
impossible
·
Why did NC failed to save Afzal Guru?
It is a very big and sensitive issue and we can’t answer it in yes
or no. There is a mis-conception that Omar Sahib is Chief Minister of state so
that he could have saved him. The main question is about our efforts to save
him. Did we try to save him? Yes we did our best. I must also say that as
Member of Parliament, I tried my best to plead the case of Afzal Guru that too
on biggest forum of all. It was in Parliament that, I said the manner in which
Guru was hanged Kashmiris will be alienated more. Balwant Singh Rajoana
killed sitting Chief Minister of Punjab. Akali Dal members with
collaboration of BJP went to President of India to halt the hanging of Rajoana.
What were the reasons given by Akali Dal? Simply, the people of Punjab will get
hurt and on these simple things he got amnesty. Secondly, Rajiv Gandhi killers
also got amnesty. I told all these things in parliament and Chief Minister
consistently told New Delhi that law and order will get disturbed but still
Government of India went ahead with hanging. All these things will alienate
Kashmiris more. It’s from last sixty years that they have these flawed policies
for Kashmir.
·
And NC still believes in Indian constitution,
parliament and elections?
Absolutely, we do believe on every bit of Indian Constitution.
Without doubt we do. See, we have to be within their system to get our demands
fulfilled. We will go on fighting for our rights within Indian constitution. We
do not have any other option. I can’t say to my people to go out and shed blood
to get our rights fulfilled.
·
As you said you raised the voice at the highest
level of Indian state, but still they hanged him. What is the fun of giving
speeches on such a platform then?
We believe in Indian Constitution and India’s forums like
Parliament. I firmly, believe that it is through these forums that we can bring
real change. We will convince them one day but only by debate and discussion
and it is our way and the only way.
·
Did Omar Abdullah sign Afzal Gurus death paper
on night of 30th Jan 2013?
No. Omar Abdullah didn’t sign any papers. The parliament attack
had happened in New Delhi and not in Kashmir that is why they didn’t require
any signature of Omar. On 8th Feb they
told CM, that they are going to hang him and control the situation. One must
appreciate that time also our CM protested against this move. Again, because of
their flawed policies they went ahead with the hanging. So there was no
question of signing of any papers.
·
Will Afzal Guru hanging affect the vote bank of
NC?
Not at all. We will go to people and will tell them about our
efforts which we did to save his life. We did our best to save him. Omar sahib
as CM, said to them, that these things will alienate Kashmiris more as I said
earlier. We have to fight for our rights but only by democratic means and
within the constitution of India.
·
Recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
J. Jayalalithaa said that she will free killers of Rajiv Gandhi and now
they have also received amnesty from GoI. Don’t you think that New Delhi has a
different yardstick for Kashmir and rest of India?
Unfortunately yes. On every national forum I have often said that
if we are one country and one law then why New Delhi has different approach for
Kashmiris and rest of India. This is the most unfortunate thing which we have
to face. It is but natural if you apply same laws with dual policy then
alienation will be there. Just like people get justice in Tamil Nadu and West
Bengal and we will strive for it but within the Indian constitution.
·
But Indian government has the same policy since
1947 towards Kashmir then don’t you think NC has failed to achieve anything for
Kashmir from past 66 years?
One needs to understand, we have a resistance movement going on in
Kashmir and youth of Kashmir have given their lives to bring change. But they
have failed to achieve anything. Does it mean they were wrong? So, one need to
understand goal is the same but only difference is NC believes that, we can
also achieve the same but through non-violent and within the ambit of Indian
constitution.
·
In 2010, there were more than 120 killings and
justice has not been delivered to these families. Do you think this will hinder
your vote bank?
Firstly, there is absolutely no connection between these killings
and elections. Secondly, the main question is, these killing were heartbreaking
for every one of us. Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister said, on the floor of the
house said, “All those killed in this wave of violence are very beloved to me”.
But it was a very unfortunate situation that time which should not have
happened. And, I firmly believe that such incident won’t hinder or have any
effect on electoral process. Forget NC, such incidents of killing is not good
for any sitting government be it NC, PDP or Congress.
·
There is strong anti-Mehboob Beg feeling among
the party cadre? What do you have to say about it?
Laughing, Oh! Is it so? I don’t know about this and I don’t think
this is true. My party members are the best judge to me. I don’t want to say
anything more about it.
·
You have to contest against PDP President
Mehbooba Mufti. Do you think you can win against her?
Yes, I can. Why not, I am sure I will win against her. She was
also an MP before me. People can compare my work and her. Secondly, if one
compares my speeches in parliament with her speeches one can easily see the
difference and judge me. And I must say people at last are the best judge. To
judge me people should check the website and see my performance as MP and then
compare both of us and then vote accordingly. Don’t ask me or her, go on
website and see how the utilization of MP funds has been spent so far. More
importantly in 2004, when she became MP and won the election at that time
Congress was with her but presently congress is with us that is more important.
·
Is Congress going to support NC in upcoming
elections?
101%.
·
Recently there was a report about the number of
questions, MPs from Kashmir have asked in the parliament and all of them
including you have fared badly? In such circumstances what difference does it
make if Kashmir sends the MPs or not?
I can only say that as compared to Mehbooba Mufti, I have taken
part in every debate and discussion of the parliament and have asked more
questions and highlighted the Kashmir issue more frequently.
·
What difference have made to the people of the
region you are representing?
As MP, I represent districts Anantanag, Kulgam, Pulwama and
Shopian. My maximum concentration has been on upgradation of hospitals in all
these districts. The very first thing which I allocated to hospitals was the
backup generators. Secondly, for thyroid tests people of South Kashmir had to
come to Srinagar as thyroid equipment test were not available, but now people
do not have to travel as I made I sure that all these facilities are available
at hospital. Thirdly, for Male Female Hormone analysis test people again had to
come to Srinagar but now people have the facility there in South Kashmir.
Likewise, ambulance and other essential commodities are also made available in
these hospitals. Awantipora main hospital which in on national highway has also
been updated and X-ray unit is now fully functional. Then next immediate impact
on people is about power transformers and people had to face lot of problems
during winters. To ease the hardships of people I have given four to five
hundred transformers in all these districts. Then on demand from people,
fencing of graveyards in all these four districts was also taken up. I have
also released all the funds which were given to me for the developmental
purposes. I released 3 crore for first two years and then for second two years
I released five crore rupees funds and one more important thing these funds
don’t lapse. I even released one crore forty five lakh rupees funds which were
allocated to Mehbooba Ji.
·
How has been your experience as the MP during
this term?
I must say my experience as MP is very satisfactory.
·
Why should people vote for you now?
I again say it; compare me with Mehbooba Ji. I always say to
people don’t ask anybody, check website and see by yourself the difference
between my tenure and Mehbooba Ji’s tenure.
·
You are banking on an anti-incumbency drive
against the PDP MLAs? Do you think it will translate into support for you in
the PDP stronghold?
Yes, it is a fact which goes in my favour. There are 16 MLA’s of
PDP assembly segment and we have only one MLA who is Sakina Itoo and on other
12 segments we have PDP MLA’s in south Kashmir. PDP MLA’s are there from last
12 years and they have done nothing on ground for people.
·
Who will be the next CM from NC if NC wins the
elections?
No doubt it will be Omar Abdullah again.
·
Tell us something about Mirza Afzal Beg.
He was a leader from a rural background and in those days there
was a rural urban divide. And without doubt urban people were much advanced
than rural in those days. In was a minus sign for any person residing in rural
area. His contributions to Kashmir are immense. Land to the landless tiller was
actually his brainchild by which 80% of rural population got empowered. In other
states farmer dies every day but not in Kashmir. It was Beg who actually
impalement it on ground. By such revolutionary steps there was economic
empowerment to the people and traditional Jagirdari system was abolished. Second important thing we had 1952 Delhi
Agreement, which was a concept of constitution within constitution. The
agreement was a negotiation on relationship between Jammu and Kashmir he had
contributed a lot to it also as he was legal luminary to it. Sheikh Sahib was
dependent on him to sort any problem related to law. He was also popular for
wit and humor. But unfortunately, as child I got very little time to spend with
him because most of the times he was in jail with Sheikh Sahib.
·
Your father is known to have shown a green
handkerchief and rock salt to Kashmiris in a promise of addressing the
pro-Pakistan sentiment. What is your stand on that and why has your party taken
a complete U-turn on it?
Showing of green handkerchief and rock salt are all false
allegations. Yes, one thing is he was pro-people and pro-Kashmir things were
attributed to him. As far political U-turn is concerned, it all depends on
situation. The situation of Kashmir which we had in 50’s and 60’s was entirely
different from 90’s. And we have entirely different situation now as well.
Situation decides and not politician. On the other hand, flexibility is part
and parcel of world politics and to show the true path to the people is
actually what a politician should do. There was also a situation when every
mainstream party was working on 4 point formula so it all depends on situation.
We need to change our stance from time to time showing resentment and adamant
would lead us to nothing. Resentment from political parties is neither good for
a political party and nor for people of Kashmir.
·
Do you think poll boycott call will be
successful?
Boycott may happen in cities and town but in rural areas it is bit
impossible. And boycott call also depends on panchayat to municipal elections
·
Your party in the last elections went to the
people with the promises of restoring autonomy, revocation of AFSPA, and giving
a job to a person of every family. You have failed to address any of those
promises. Yet you have the cheek to go back to the people and promise them same
things again. Don’t you feel ashamed of it?
As far as autonomy and APFSA is concerned we cannot give certain
time frame when autonomy will be achieved and when AFSPA will be revoked.
During Farooq Sahib’s tenure a unanimous resolution was passed. This resolution
was passed by the consent from all three representative of Ladakh, Jammu and
Kashmir. During Mufti Sahib rule nothing happened on self rule front .Even
Justice Sageer said, that there is no proper document of Self-Rule and
recommended NC’s autonomy as the only viable solution for Kashmir. As far as
jobs are concerned, we also addressed it by providing schemes like
Sher-i-Kashmir Employment Exchange. If one thoroughly studies it, it provides technical
advice and almost gives interest free loans. But unfortunately, in Kashmir we
have a mindset that our youth only want government jobs. I totally failed to
woo youth to this scheme. Unfortunately their reply was that I am not giving
them government jobs. We have mindset towards government job which we haven’t
been able to change. As far as revocation of AFSPSA is concerned we have some
vested interested who are hindrance in revoking of AFSPA. Nonetheless, our
efforts for it revocation are on.
·
These days your party also talks about the
development factor, addressing the Sadak, Bijli and Pani problems of the
people. You have ruled the State over three decades now and if you go to the
people with these promises doesn’t it speak of your party’s failure?
The important point here is to address the political instability.
It is the biggest hindrance in addressing the day to day issues of people. It
is because of resistance movement we are unable to plead our case in front of
New Delhi. We also need to understand that two nuclear powers are involved in
this issue. It is about our party’s failure but this issue needs to be
addressed at the level of these two nuclear powers.
·
The state is debt-ridden, yet legislators and
parliamentarians like you live kings’ lives spending the hard-earned money of
taxpayers. On the contrary, people like Arvind Kejriwal despite being the chief
minister of an important state like Delhi showed an example of how low profile
politicians can live. Your views?
As far as Arvind Kejriwal is concerned he is only there because of
media. He exposed himself by being in power. Other leaders like Mamata Banejee
and Pranab Mukherjee are both honest but they are not in lime light because
media do not give them hype. Does it mean they are not honest? They are most
honest among the politicians. I produce myself before commission to check my
assets. I am open for any inquiry.
