Former DIG, Kashmiri singer join NC ahead of LS elections
NEW ENTRANTS Sadiq is 2nd retd police officer to join NC; Jeelani to handle cultural affairs
SRINAGAR: Former deputy inspector general of police (DIG), Mushtaq Sadiq and prominent singer in the Valley, Waheed Jeelani joined the National Conference (NC) here on Monday, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Sadiq is the second retired police officer who has joined NC in the past few months. Both Sadiq and Jeelani could contest the upcoming assembly elections. However, Jeelani who hails from Chrar-e-Sharief in central Kashmir’s Budgam district and currently lives in Gopalpora falling under the Chadoora constituency could be the NC candidate from Chadoora. Jeelani has been asked to handle cultural affairs of the party.
Sadiq and Jeelani joined the party in presence of NC president, Farooq Abdullah and general secretary, Ali Mohammad Sagar at the party headquarters in the city.
Waheed Jeelani, who is a household name in singing in the Valley, told Hindustan Times that he wanted to give voice to his people, especially those related to art and culture.
“The central government and previous state governments have betrayed people associated with art and culture in the state, as nobody listened to the demands and grievances of the people related to our community.
This is first time in the history of Jammu & Kashmir that some party has given representation to artists.’’
Jeelani said that he chose NC since the party is moderate and friendly with artists.
“Farooq Abdullah is the biggest art lover,’’ he added.
He said that he has no interest in becoming a legislator, however, if the party wishes, he could contest the elections.
“It is yet to be decided whether I will contest elections or not. I have a meeting with NC vicepresident, Omar Abdullah on Tuesday,’’ he said.
Mushtaq Sadiq, who retired as the DIG police is also an owner of a small time local newspaper published from the city. He has served on various important posts during his tenure as a police officer.
Around a dozen government, police, and judicial officers in J&K are seeking (or considering) voluntary retirement to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Last week, Shah Faesal , who topped the Indian Administrative Services exam in 2010, resigned from the service, and is expected to contest the elections.
On Friday, principal and sessions judge (Anantnag), Syed Towqeer wrote to the registrar general of the Jammu & Kashmir high court seeking voluntary retirement. Although, he has cited personal reasons, it is learnt that he may contest the assembly elections from South Kashmir’s Kokernag assembly seat and will be joining the National Conference in coming days.
Earlier, former senior superintendent of police (SSP),Srinagar, Riyaz Bedar had joined NC and will be the candidate from north Kashmir’s Pattan constituency.
Last month, former inspector general of police (crime) Raja Ajaz Ali who joined the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2014 elections and contested assembly polls from Uri, resigned from the party and joined the Peoples Conference. He is likely to contest assembly polls from Uri assembly constituency or could be the Lok Sabha candidate of the party from Baramulla.
Last week, Bashir Ahmad Ronyal and Mehboob Iqbal, both former senior bureaucrats who joined the Peoples Democratic Party before the 2014 polls and contested elections from Banihal and Baderwah respectively, resigned from the party. While Ronyal will be contesting elections as an independent candidate from Banihal, Iqbal who joined NC last week could be a candidate from Baderwah.