JK CM Mufti's Cinematographer Brother To Contest LS Polls From Anantnag?

SRINAGAR: Speculation is rife in Kashmir that Tasaduq Hussain Mufti, the youngest of the siblings of Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who joined the Peoples Democratic Party on his father's first death anniversary yesterday, will contest Lok Sabha elections.

Tasaduq, an ace cinematographer who has worked in production of a number of Bollywood movies and also produced short movies for J&K's Tourism department, may contest Lok Sabha elections from Anantnag parliamentary seat.

The seat had fallen vacant earlier this year after J&K Chief Minister and Tasaduq's sister, Mehbooba Mufti, resigned following her election to the J&K State Assembly from Bijbehara constituency, her home constituency which had also fallen vacant following the demise of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed last year in January.

Last week, the Election Commission of India agreed to defer the polls to Anantnag parliamentary constituency after the J&K government complained that the situation in the Valley, which witnessed a deadly civilian uprising last year, was not conducive for fresh elections.

Tasaduq, who joined the People Democratic Party yesterday at an impressive function in Srinagar's Indoor Stadium held to commemorate the first death anniversary of his father, will have many tasks on hand, including to keep the party's flock together at a time when anger is growing in the Valley against the PDP-BJP coalition government.

“Mufti sahab gave his life for Jammu and Kashmir. By dint of his hardwork, he became the Home Minister of India and two-time Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. His wish was to solve Kashmir. Even in his deathbed, he was concerned about rehabilitation of flood hit people. The aim of his life was peace and reconciliation,” Mehbooba said at the function.

Tasaduq's formal entry into the party was speculated for a long time but political analysts see it as a move which will "immensely help" the PDP chief and his sister, Mehbooba Mufti, to do a "balancing act" when the party is facing internal bickering.

The cinematographer son of Late Mufti has lately shown keen interest in preserving and reviving the cultural landmarks of Srinagar, one of the oldest cities in the country. He has also been involved in tourism related projects and is very close to his sister and J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.