The political landscape of Kulgam, a key constituency in South Kashmir, has long been a stage for intense electoral battles, and its significance in shaping the broader political dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir is undeniable. One of the most notable figures who has dominated this constituency for decades is Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, a veteran politician associated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). As the 2024 elections approach, Tarigami faces one of the most challenging contests of his career, with fierce competition from several political figures, including Sayyar Ahmad Reshi, an independent candidate backed by Jamaat-e-Islamia (JeI). However, to understand why Tarigami remains a formidable contender in Kulgam, one must delve deeply into his political journey, marked by persistence, struggle, and significant achievements over the years.
Early Beginnings and Political Formation
Yousuf Tarigami’s emergence as a political leader was greatly influenced by his early association with Abdul Kabir Wani from Chawalgam, a mentor who played a pivotal role in shaping his political outlook. Tarigami’s political activism began at the young age of 18, when, in 1967, he and his friend Ghulam Nabi Malik (who is now the J&K secretary of CPI(M)) organized a protest to demand an increase in the intake capacity at Anantnag Degree College. As members of the Revolutionary Students and Youth Federation, they staged a 36-hour hunger strike at the office of the Deputy Commissioner, eventually forcing the authorities to accede to their demands and raise the college’s intake capacity.
This early success in student activism marked the beginning of a long political journey for Tarigami. Following the Anantnag college campaign, he became actively involved in farmer movements in Jammu and Kashmir, guided by the leadership of Abdul Qadir, a prominent farmer leader. This period solidified Tarigami’s commitment to representing the working class and farmers, themes that would define his political career. In 1967, Tarigami, along with Malik, formally joined the Democratic Conference, a part of the CPI(M), under the leadership of Ram Pyaare Saraf, a leftist leader who would become a significant influence on Tarigami’s political ideology.
The relationship between Tarigami and Saraf was pivotal, as Saraf was one of the key figures in Kashmir’s leftist movement. However, when Saraf split from the CPI(M) to support the Naxalite movement and joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI (ML)), Tarigami followed him. This marked the beginning of Tarigami’s more radical phase in politics. His commitment to representing the interests of farmers and the working class often put him in direct confrontation with the authorities. In 1967, he was imprisoned for advocating on behalf of farmers against the government’s forcible procurement of rice, further solidifying his credentials as a people’s leader.
Struggles and Imprisonment
The 1970s were a turbulent period for Jammu and Kashmir, and Tarigami’s political journey was marked by numerous struggles and imprisonments. Following the 1975 Indira-Sheikh Accord, which made Jammu and Kashmir a constituent unit of India, Tarigami and his colleagues demanded the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This demand, considered seditious by the Indian authorities, led to his repeated imprisonment. His political activism and opposition to the Accord earned him the ire of the state, and he faced harsh treatment during his various stints in prison.
One of the most personal tragedies Tarigami endured during this period was the death of his wife while he was imprisoned. Although he was released on parole for a month to mourn her passing, the authorities rearrested him just three days after her death, reflecting the extent of the state’s repression against political dissidents.
Tarigami’s commitment to his political ideals continued despite these hardships. In 1979, when riots broke out in Kashmir following the execution of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Sheikh Abdullah’s government targeted Marxist leaders, viewing them as potential agitators. Tarigami was one of the first individuals to be detained under the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA), a law that allowed for preventive detention without trial. Over the years, Tarigami would face imprisonment multiple times in various jails, including the infamous torture centers of Red-16 and Papa II, as well as the Sub-Jail in Reasi.
The political battle in Kulgam, a significant constituency in South Kashmir, is heating up as CPI(M) veteran Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami faces stiff competition from a variety of political figures, including a Jamaat-e-Islamia (JeI)-backed independent candidate, Sayyar Ahmad Reshi. This contest is notable not only because of the fierce competition it presents, but also because it offers an opportunity to delve into the storied history of Tarigami’s political career and the socio-political dynamics of the Kulgam constituency.
Tarigami’s Early Political Career and His Rise to Prominence
To understand why Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami still holds an edge in Kulgam, it’s crucial to look at his political journey, which began in the early 1980s. In 1983, Tarigami first contested elections in Kulgam, receiving 2,164 votes. At the time, Jamaat-e-Islamia, with its deep roots in South Kashmir, dominated the political scene, and its candidate secured 6,843 votes. However, it was Ghulam Nabi Dar from the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) who emerged victorious, receiving 9,724 votes and becoming the MLA for Kulgam.
Tarigami’s political resilience and determination were evident even when he did not secure a win. In the 1987 elections, when the political landscape of Kashmir was drastically changing, Tarigami contested once again. This time, Abdul Razak Mir, backed by the Muslim United Front (MUF) and representing JeI, won the seat with 15,067 votes. The runner-up was JKNC’s Ghulam Nabi Dar with 12,031 votes, while Tarigami finished third, with a meager 3,196 votes.
Despite these early setbacks, Tarigami’s persistence paid off in 1996, when he won the Kulgam constituency for the first time with a comfortable margin, securing 21,837 votes. This victory was significant as JeI had boycotted the elections, and his primary competition, Habibullah Laway, managed only 5,671 votes. This marked the beginning of Tarigami’s political dominance in Kulgam, a legacy that he has fought to maintain for over two decades.
The 2002 Elections: Tarigami’s Break from JKNC and Emergence as a Political Force
After the 1999 general elections, when the National Conference (NC) joined hands with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre, Tarigami distanced himself from his previous alliance with JKNC. In the 2002 elections, he contested as an independent candidate under the CPI(M) banner, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in his career.
This election was closely contested, with three major candidates: Tarigami, Ghulam Nabi Dar of the JKNC, and Mohammad Yousuf Lone, backed by JeI and running on a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket. Tarigami secured 8,346 votes, defeating Dar, who garnered 3,461 votes, while Lone came in third with only 3,011 votes. This election not only solidified Tarigami’s position as a key political figure in Kulgam but also underscored the declining influence of JeI and its allies in the electoral politics of the region.
Moreover, the 2002 election results elevated Tarigami’s stature beyond the confines of his constituency. He became a crucial ally in the PDP-Congress coalition government, which formed after the elections. Backed by the People’s Democratic Forum, an amalgamation of 13 independent candidates, Tarigami’s influence in the state government grew immensely. Many political analysts considered him to be the “second Chief Minister” of Jammu and Kashmir during this period, and his focus on development ensured that Kulgam received a lion’s share of infrastructure projects, turning it into a model constituency.
Tarigami’s Continued Dominance and the Challenges of the 2008 and 2014 Elections
The 2008 elections posed a new challenge for Tarigami, as Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s PDP, in collaboration with JeI, made a concerted effort to defeat him. Nazir Laway, contesting on a PDP ticket and backed by JeI, emerged as Tarigami’s primary challenger. However, despite a hard-fought campaign, Tarigami managed to win with 17,175 votes, narrowly defeating Laway, who garnered 16,939 votes. The slim margin of victory underscored the increasing competition in the Kulgam constituency, but Tarigami’s ability to hold on to his seat demonstrated his deep-rooted support base and his reputation as a developmental politician.
Following the 2008 elections, the political landscape of Kashmir shifted again, with Omar Abdullah’s NC and the Congress forming the state government. This period saw attempts by the NC and Congress to curtail Tarigami’s influence, particularly by stalling development projects in Kulgam. Despite these efforts, Tarigami’s popularity continued to rise, as his focus remained on the welfare of his constituency.
In the 2014 elections, Tarigami once again faced Nazir Laway, this time as a PDP candidate. Laway, backed by JeI, posed a serious threat to Tarigami’s political dominance. Nevertheless, Tarigami secured 20,574 votes, maintaining his position as MLA, while Laway managed 17,175 votes. The JKNC candidate, Imran Nabi, received only 8,273 votes. Despite attempts by the PDP to further marginalize him by elevating Laway to the Rajya Sabha, Tarigami’s electoral appeal remained unchallenged.
The Current Political Landscape: The 2024 Elections and the Return of Jamaat-e-Islamia
As the 2024 elections approach, Tarigami faces what is arguably the most challenging contest of his career. Sayyar Ahmad Reshi, an independent candidate backed by JeI, has re-entered the political arena after a 37-year absence. This marks JeI’s first active involvement in elections since 1987, and Reshi’s campaign is gaining momentum, particularly in rural areas of Kulgam where JeI has a strong base.
Reshi’s campaign has focused on local issues such as education, the apple industry, and the return of Kashmiri Pandits, resonating with voters who feel neglected by the traditional political leadership. Meanwhile, Mohammad Amin Dar, a former associate of Tarigami, is contesting on a PDP ticket, raising concerns about a potential split in the vote share between PDP and JeI supporters.
Another notable figure in the race is Nazir Ahmad Laway, who, after leaving the PDP, is contesting on a Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC) ticket. However, his campaign lacks the momentum seen in previous elections, and the main fight is expected to be between Tarigami, Reshi, and Dar.
Factors Influencing the Election Outcome
There are several key factors that will influence the outcome of the upcoming elections in Kulgam:
1. Delimitation Changes: The recent delimitation process has altered the boundaries of the Kulgam constituency, removing some areas that were traditional strongholds for Tarigami and adding new areas that have a more significant JeI influence. This change could work in Reshi’s favor, but Tarigami’s established voter base in urban pockets remains a crucial factor.
2. Jamaat’s Return to Politics:
The re-entry of Jamaat-e-Islamia into electoral politics after decades of abstention has sparked controversy, as the JeI-backed leader, Sayyar Ahmad Reshi, has attempted to frame the election as a battle between radical Islam and ideal communism. Reshi was seen at political rallies declaring that the contest is between “Islam and Kufur,” and going so far as to claim that if he loses, Islam will lose, and if he wins, Islam will triumph. However, today’s voter is not as naive as they might have been in 1987. While these tactics may have worked in the past, they are unlikely to resonate with the electorate now. Moreover, Reshi has failed to present a compelling developmental model in his election manifesto, which lacks the appeal needed to win over the constituency.
3. Coalition Dynamics: Tarigami is backed by the Congress-NC alliance, and the NC’s decision to leave the Kulgam seat for a coalition partner could prove pivotal. If NC voters rally behind Tarigami, it may tilt the balance in his favor, despite the challenges posed by Jamaat and PDP candidates.
4. Public Sentiment: While Reshi’s campaign emphasizes the need for change and addresses local issues like education and development, Tarigami’s reputation for bringing tangible development to Kulgam remains his strongest asset. Many voters, particularly in urban areas, view him as a leader who has consistently delivered on his promises.
A Defining Battle for Kulgam
The Kulgam constituency is witnessing one of its most fiercely contested elections in recent memory. For Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, this election is not just about securing another term in office; it is about defending a political legacy built over decades of public service and development work. The return of Jamaat-e-Islamia to the political arena has injected new energy into the race, making it a contest to watch closely.
While the outcome remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the election in Kulgam will have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of South Kashmir. Whether Tarigami can maintain his dominance or whether new political forces will emerge victorious remains to be seen. However, his established voter base, reputation for development, and alliance with Congress and NC give him an edge, making him a formidable contender in this crucial political battle.
