Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen is senior legislator and Chairman People’s Democratic Front (PDF). He represents Khansahib constituency of Budgam District in state assembly. Recently few senior politicians including Hakeem, CPI(M) State Secretary Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami and others came together to form “Third Front”. The proposed front is set to create ripples in political circles in the state. Analysts say the front will dent the prospects of both ruling National Conference and opposition PDP particularly in Kashmir.
In an exclusive interview with Kashmir Scenario Editor-in-Chief, Malik Sajid, Hakeem Yaseen talked in detail about the third front and their manifesto.
Q: What aspirations and desires have led to formation of a third front in the state polity?
Hakeem Yaseen: There is nothing like “Third Front” .Realistically, likeminded people came together to fight corruption, unemployment, scandals and scams. In 2002 people voted for change. But after 2008, situation is back to ground zero. Political situation is same as it was earlier. Change is must now. Like in 2002 elections, people again will vote for change. We also want a greater change in political scenario of the state.
Q: How would you analyse the coalition government of 2002 and the coalition government that has come after 2008 elections?
Hakeen Yaseen: In 2002 the coalition government solved many problems of the common masses . People felt much relief and comfort as there problems got required attention from the government. We were four parties in coalition and all worked together for the betterment of the masses. There were political differences but there were several positive developments. The current government in comparison to that has not achieved much.
Q: What is the way forward?
Hakeem Yaseen: We should ponder about future in a serious manner. We need to move forward. If we will count past mistakes, we will reach nowhere. Government and opposition are counting deaths which are not a good sign.
Q: What will be your manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections?
Hakeem Yaseen: We will work passionately so as to bring both India and Pakistan on table for a serious and meaningful dialogue in order to usher an era of peace and prosperity. We will try to provide good governance to the people of the state.
People are crying for justice and good governance. One cannot shy away from the fact that common people are on roads for their basic needs like electricity. With the inception of winter, valley is in dark. People are suffering. We have situation like the famous proverb ‘church farther from God’. We have water resources and so many electricity projects but our own valley is in dark.
There is dire need to get back the projects from NHPC. That will solve our problems of electricity and unemployment to a great extent.
To cope with the unemployment, we have to realize that we can’t provide government jobs to all. We will try to attract youths towards other private sector avenues and entrepreneurship.
We as a region have lot many resources like forest, water tourism, handicrafts etc in valley but untouched. We need to exploit these resources to fight unemployment menace.
Q: There is debate going on Tosamaidan firing range and army camp there. What is your take on that?
Hakeem Yaseen: The only basic issue is of firing range not of the army camp. There are hardly 50 to 60 army personals stationed there. The basic problem is with firing range by which population is being adversely affected. I have no problem with army there. Army is in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and other places also. Demilitarization is other issue. The immediate issue is to shift the firing range. I was first person to bring the then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Saeed to that place. We wanted to bring it on tourism map. It can be a meeting point of three tourism spots- Gulmarg, Yusmarg and Tosamaidan itself. I am writing a letter to Chief Secretary in this regard.
Q: Have you approached some people from separatist camp during making of third front or you are planning to meet any of them?
Hakeem Yaseen: (Smiling) There are many people who are more experienced than us. We don’t want to keep our front a limited one. People from diverse ideologies can join us. The only aim is to get people out of this mess- be it political, economical or social. I am of the view that power is a way to get your demands fulfilled. If we have demands we need to fight together to get the demands fulfilled.
Q: In 1999, PDP tried to relate themselves with Muslim United Front by choosing their flag resembling that of MUF. And your third front named the front on same weight “People’s united front”?
Hakeem Yaseen: (Smiling) It is not like that. I think the biggest mistake after 1974 was committed in 1987 by large scale rigging in elections. Whatever happened till now in valley is the outcome of that rigging
Q What is your message for the people of J&K?
Hakeem Yaseen: Try to distinguish between right and wrong. People have suffered a lot all these years. Now they have opportunity in 2014 to distinguish between friend and foe so that they don’t suffer in future again. People should not be silent they should with vigor fight oppression. Acting as a mute spectator to oppression tantamount to being a part of oppressor.