Zeeshan Pandith who spent most of childhood and academic days in Philippines and USA came to Kashmir in 2005 and joined Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) and is party’s District President for Srinagar when it was formed last year. He is among few youth who have left lucrative career to join politics to be an catalyst for positive change. He is now viewed as the senior face of AIP and played a great philanthropic role in recent epic floods of Kashmir. Zeeshan Pandith is AIP Candidate from prestigious Amirakadal constituency in the Assembly elections 2014 the area dubbed by many as face of kashmir.
In an exclusive interview with Ground Report , Zeeshan Pandith talks to Rameez Makhdoomi
How do you view one of your opponents People’s Democratic Party (PDP )claiming electoral victory by active support of Kashmiri youth in the recent Parliament elections and now hoping same in Assembly elections . Have you lagged in youth support?
Giving credit to PDP’s Electoral Victory in Parliament elections to Youth of Kashmir is a biggest injustice to the youth of Kashmir as they do not support any agenda that hurts Kashmir and goes against the idea of Kashmir . Than honestly admitting we have a huge number of youth in Kashmir who did not vote and believe voting is against the struggle of Kashmir and we cannot rub off their world view. So Kashmiri youth taken as paradigm by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) reason for its success is a big farce.
Do than youth of Kashmir question your participation in electoral polity?
Yes, there are a large number of youth who candidly on face tell me that being part of electoral polity in Kashmir is worth betraying nation and they forcefully use the word “Nation”.
What points you use to convince them?
We are having from several years the resistance forces in Palestine contesting successfully elections and also separatist parties in Lebanon. We also need a strong and administrative machinery to tackle issues arising out of conflict and address people’s socio-economic needs. If Hamas is part of the Government why can’t we apply the same in Kashmir .These very points I use to convince such of my dear fellow youth.
Can you win the high-powered contest from Amirakadal were political heavyweights are fighting against you?
Look the only thing I am banking upon is the “Vote of Conscience “.My opponents might be possessing money and muscle power but support of conscious voices is giving me realistic hope to win Amirakadal seat .
You have a rich educational background from West than why did you join a low key and recently formed political party like AIP?
The only choice I had was to join the agenda of Engineer Rashid to champion the people’s aspiration as National Conference (NC )and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have failed people of Kashmir and so I decided to be part of this great cause. AIP is the only party that is anti status- quo party in a creative and uncompromising manner.
What is the electoral target of AIP?
Our target has been to focus on specific constituencies and as we lag resources we cannot spread beyond our realms and political sanity demands that we contest limited Assembly Segments and come up with best possible results. We hope to get 4 to 5 seats.
How is your track record and agenda different than other parties?
Our agenda is to fight burning problems of people and our track record bears testimony to the fact that we have been at forefront at championing the cause of people and protested tooth and nail grave human rights abuses, held philanthropic works during recent devastating Kashmir floods,raised forcefully Afzal Guru issue and given a road map that we need to be masters of our own resources from water to electricity.
Your take on media coverage to your party?
We definitely lag proper media coverage as a portion of media has been guided by corporate gains but there is a part in media that highlights the things that deserve attention. Media is a mix bag in Kashmir.
What is your view on performance of Engineer Rashid as MLA Langate?
Engineer Rashid has made Langate a model of development and restored the prestige and honour of people of Langate .I honestly dream that in future we see more Langate like constituencies in Kashmir.
Your biggest ambition?
I dream to see my Kashmir a peaceful and prosperous place. Unfortunately, Kashmir has been suppressed to such an extent that people are no more progressive thinkers.
We have much freedom of expression in West and Kashmir on account of conflict zone people here only want to express oppression as they are choked.
Your take on governance of Omar Abdullah?
Omar Abdullah’s Governance has been dismal and poor to say the least as he has never been in tune with the people who matter the most.
How can your agenda change Amirakadal?
Amirakadal Constituency is the face of paradise Kashmir but on account of inefficient elected representatives it has remained backward. My holistic agenda focuses on realistic change and making entire Amirakadal Constituency a paragon of development. I believe in giving my vision a pragmatic shape with active support of masses.
