'Dynastic influence' & NC's social engineering at play in Kashmir

KANGAN (GANDERBAL): Without any questions, Mehar Ali, short, frail and unassuming, has eased into the role of his father Mian Altaf Ahmad, National Conference MLA since 1987, as the candidate from Kangan constituency in Ganderbal.

Yet another dynasty? Well, this is one that even Narendra Modi, the heat-seeking missile against political families of opposition, would keep away from.

For, Ahmad represents the high spiritual seat revered by the Gujjar-Bakerwal communities across J&K, and his family going back to grandfather have represented Kangan since 1962. In 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Ahmad defeated PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti in Anantnag, the vacant assembly now filled by his son.

Debutant Ali rubbishes Modi's attack line of "dynasty", telling TOI, "What dynasty? The 'awam (people)' has elected us. People will decide if they like dynasty or not." Ahmad underscored the point. "I am a third-generation dynast and my son is fourth. People vote for us. Dynasties work hard to earn support. It is about merit, that's how I understand."

He reasoned that a doctor's child becomes a doctor and a journalist's son becomes a journalist. "We cultivate relationships over generations, and it is not easy to leave people midway. That's how it continues." The ease of answer and manners, as also father-son's short stature, hides the clout that the family wields across the two regions sizzling in the heat of the battle royale.

From the border areas of Jammu to deep inside Kashmir, the tribals hold the family in high esteem, its religious influence seamlessly blending with politics and creating poll winners.

A loyal National Conference member, Ahmad Friday accompanied Omar Abdullah to Poonch and Rajouri for campaigning and was back in his village Babanagri at night - enough to explain his reach across regional faultlines. The tribal politics has become competitive with BJP's pre-poll decision to include the Pahari community in ST list with separate quota.

Curiously, through the Mian family, one realizes the social engineering, heartland style, that NC has weaved to aggregate votes this year.

In 2024 Lok Sabha contest, it fielded Ahmad from Anantnag-Rajouri seat to add the tribal votes to its base to defeat Mehbooba, and nominated a Shia cleric and veteran MLA Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi from Srinagar to present a diverse mix with appeal to the minority sect that populates Srinagar-Budgam and adjoining areas. Both won comfortably in 2024, even as party mascot Omar crashed to a shocking defeat to jailed Engineer Rashid in Baramulla.

Ahmad was apparently reluctant to contest for LS in April, which sent Omar into a tizzy as he rushed to Babanagri to convince the veteran. Ali laughs off the episode. "My father was unwell and he told a journo he will start campaigning after nomination, which got blown by media into something else." Even if it was confusion, it only demonstrated the family's political salience.

Three months later, along with its organisational reach and resources, National Conference is looking at Ahmad and Aga Syed to stay ahead of rivals in an election with imponderables galore in Independents and newbies like AIP of Engineer Rashid and Apni Party.

Ahmad signed off, "It is the people who create the dynasties, and who terminate them."


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