Nasir Aslam Wani, Provincial President of Kashmir, is among the senior most leaders of National Conference and represents Amirakadal Constituency.
In an exclusive interview with The Kashmir Scenario, Nasir Aslam Wani talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.
How challenging is the latest responsibility after being appointed as Provincial President?
I have since beginning of my political career in National Conference held important organizational posts so this is not a big challenge and I hope to handle this responsibility proficiently.
Why has National Conference failed to get autonomy report implemented despite several friendly successive central governments?
I believe that among the all vision documents propounded on the way ahead to solve the Kashmir issue the autonomy report has gained much more relevance with all important players gradually considering it the most suitable solution. National Conference as a party has always been accommodative to every vision document to solve the issue of Kashmir irrespective of it being projected by mainstream or a separatist party.
But without doubt, Autonomy vision has emerged as the most solid and concrete solution to Kashmir issue and there is growing realization by Government of India to implement it.
How stiff will be the challenge from People’s Democratic Party in upcoming electoral battles especially the big one of 2014?
Honestly speaking, we would be happy to get a good challenge from the main opposition party, but I would like to state that in 2014 electoral battle, I see PDP nowhere in picture. I am not making a mere assertion but this is based on ground facts as since its inception PDP has been highly inconsistent and pragmatically not followed any policy permanently.
As a matter of fact, PDP is the one responsible for imposing AFSPA and now when we call for its revocation they are trying to stall the process. Chief Minister has time and again from the floor of House offered them to suggest steps and even asked separatists to solve political problem of Kashmir but nothing much concrete has come from this side.
Pragaash only girl band which disbanded itself remained in much limelight especially in context of Fatwa issued by Grand Mufti. How do you take all this?
Grand Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad has not stated anything out of context. His fatwa is being projected in wrong manner as if it is an extremist diktat while in reality it is an opinion based on Islamic references and the issue should not be blown out of proportions.
NC is alleged by critics of promoting dynasty politics. Your take?
Sheikh family has played a historical role in the polity of Jammu& Kashmir and has yielded immense positives to the political picture of the state. Even I and a large number of important leaders in the party are not from the same family so question of promoting dynasty politics does not arise.
Srinagar City has been a traditional stronghold of National Conference, but many people here allege discrimination when it comes to development and job share?
No it is not a fact. National Conference has transformed Srinagar city towards a new era of prosperity and development in every manner and there has not been any discrimination whatsoever with reference to the job share.
There is an impression that men in uniform over the past 24 years of turmoil have gone unpunished for human rights violations .What is your take on it?
We have taken unprecedented steps in this regard whether it was Rafiabad episode or in case of Sopore custodial deaths. Actually, at the end legal system has its own mechanisms to deal with the cases.