Yashpaul Sharma* & Dr. Vivak M. Arya**
Marhoom Mufti Mohd. Sayeed founder of People Democratic Party(PDP) was born on December1,1936 at Baba Mohalla, Bijbehara in Kashmir. After completing his primary education he completed his graduation from prestigious SP College, Srinagar. He further pursued his higher studies from Aligarh Muslim University in law and completed his postgraduate in Arab History. Mufti Sayeed started his political career in the late 1950s when he joined the Democratic National Conference. His political journey as legislature started in 1962 when he was elected to Legislative Assembly from Bijbehera. He retained his seat in the succeeding election five years later. In 1972 he was made Democratic National Conference Party leader in the Legislative Council. Later he joined INC. He was considered as one of the few leaders in Jammu and Kashmir who made the INC a major political force in the State. In 1975 making a meteoric rise he was made leader of Congress Legislature Party and Pardesh Congress President. He too faced tough time in political journey when he lost two elections but he continued his political struggle with utmost sincerity and dedication and became one of the tallest leader in State politics. He became Union Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation in Rajiv Gandhi Council of Ministry and worked very hard to strengthen the tourism sector in J&K. His hard work paid significantly when J&K made great jump on Indian tourism map during his stint as Minister of Tourism. He parted away from Congress due to ideological difference in 1987 when Congress joined hands with National Conference and joined Janta Dal. He became a very successful Home Minister of India in V.P Singh led government. He was having a very close bonding with late V.P Singh and both continued to share a close bond of friendship.
Mufti Sayeed again joined Congress and became Member of Parliament. In 1999 he floated his own political party People’s Democratic Party. Such was the impact of his political move that PDP a force to reckon with became the coalition partner of Congress and formed the government in State within three years of its inception. Mufti Sayeed became Chief Minister. His policy of healing touch, peace dialogue and reconciliation was welcomed at national and international level. His popular slogan of ‘Banduk sey na goli sey, baat baneygi boli sey’ became the turning point in the approach of the State in dealing with militancy. His policy of healing touch marked a paradigm shift which focused on rehabilitation of disenchanting youths from the earlier policy of using force as the only means to deal with the conflict. In March 2015 he assumed the Office of CM for the second time when the State was at the cross roads once again with rise in militancy and disenchantment of public with the state. Although the ideologies of both the parties (PDP & BJP) were poles apart it was the statesmanship and towering personality of Mufti Sayeed that laid the grand vision for this coalition which is working very effectively for the welfare of the public. He was instrumental in facilitating the regional integration of the State both inside and outside by playing a pivotal role in starting cross border trade and opening of Mughal Road. He was very concerned about the education sector and opened new vistas for the people of far-flung area of Pir Panjal by providing them the university in the name of Sufi Saint Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah which is catering to the needs of Pir Panjal. He gave powers to the institution like SAC,SVC and SIC. He lived a very simple and honest life throughout and never ever compromised with his basic principles of honesty and dedication. He was among few of the towering politicians of India like of Morar ji Desai, Jayaparkash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Gulzari Lal Nanda, A.B Vajpayee, V.P Singh, Jyoti Basu, Som Nath Chatterjee, and M.Karunanidhi who have left an indelible mark in the annals of political and social history of India. His daughter and present CM Mehbooba Mufti is carrying the legacy of late Mufti Sayeed with utmost sincerity and dedication. Mehbooba Mufti learned the principles of honesty, dedication and commitment from his late father. It’s a matter of great satisfaction and happiness that PDP under the able leadership Mehbooba Mufti is increasing its political footprints in the State with each passing day. Mufti Sayeed was having special love and affection for Poonch District. During his tenure as CM for two terms, Poonch got university campus, opening of Mughal Road and Chakan Da Bagh trade center, opening of degree colleges at Tehsils and great amount of infrastructural development at each Tehsil and block. He carried very personal affection, love and attachment for Poonch and during his many speeches he lauded the efforts of Poonch public for maintaining the communal harmony and brotherhood. His untimely departure had created a political and social void in state and at national level. However, it’s a matter of great satisfaction that PDP under the able leadership of Mehbooba Mufti is carrying the legacy of late Mufti Sayeed with dedication and sincerity. Today on this day we pray to Almighty to give us strength so that the ideology and policies formulated by late Mufti Sayeed can be carried forward with zeal and dedication for bringing peace and prosperity in our State.
(Author: Member Legislative Council* & Professor**: University)