Voters yearn for change, pin hopes on Faesal

M Aamir Khan
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, March 17

The ‘disappointment’ brought by the previous state governments and to check for themselves if former IAS-turned-politician Shah Faesal was really ‘different’ from others drew people from all walks of life to the launch ceremony of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Movement.

“I have come to see how different he is. People are fed up with old leaders like Omar (Abdullah) and Mehbooba (Mufti). Let us give him a chance...he is a new face. He topped the IAS but let us see how he fares in politics. It is a different field altogether,” said Suhail Ahmad, a teacher, who was present at the launch ceremony of the party at Gindun Park in Srinagar’s Rajbagh locality.

Though only around a couple of thousand people were present at the rally, a lot of enthusiasm was witnessed among Faesal’s supporters. Javed Iqbal, a youth from Uri in North Kashmir, said previous regimes had only brought disappointment. He said Faesal’s determination had brought him to the venue. “I was impressed by his speech and determination....especially about the change he wants to bring in. Previous politicians only brought disappointment. We have a lot of hope that he will bring some change,” he said.

Bandipora resident M Afzal said he had just come to hear him. “I was a National Conference worker but previous regimes did nothing for us. We came to listen to him and see if he can deliver,” he said.

A driver from Beerwah in Central Kashmir, Junaid Dar, said people from all strata of society should get representation in the government. “We want that our leaders should get representation. We want him to help and resolve the issues faced by us. We want to live in peace and there should be equality for all,” Dar said.

Social worker Gowhar Malik from the Sonwar area of the city said he wanted Faesal to be Mahatma Gandhi of Kashmir. “I am looking for peace and I am behind everybody who talks about peace and humanity. I have seen bloodshed all my life. I want him to be the Gandhiji of Kashmir,” he said.