This is a red patch in a green world where Communists thrive in an area surrounded by Islamic militants and the politics of Jamat-e-Islami. When South Kashmir goes to polls on Tuesday, all eyes will be on CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, a hot favourite in his Kulgam constituency. Tarigami, elected from here in 1996, enjoys substantial clout. His support base, however, has nothing to do with Lenin or Marx. It transcends Left ideology and thrives on personal rapport with villagers. The only prominent Left face in Kashmir, Tarigami’s appeal lies in his poll manifesto. He has sought votes for the promise of a permanent resolution of Kashmir through a thorough dialogue, and a dream of a transparent, accountable, and responsive administration. He shouts for an end to atrocities by police and security forces. The Jamat-e-Islami candidate had won Kulgam in 1987 and people know it has a massive presence here.Yet Tarigami says: ‘‘Even Jamat cadre support me. I have lost three dedicated partymen, killed for being in CPI(M). Zahoor Ahmad Ganai was the son of a Jamat rukun (basic member).’’ He said he expects a large chunk of votes from the Jamat too. ‘‘These elections are beyond ideologies. They are primarily about an end to the daily sufferings of men,’’ Tarigami said. ‘‘People believe me because they have seen my work in the past six years. Kulgam is a remote area but you can see the difference — we have facilities which one hardly finds in big towns. I have worked and I seek votes on the basis of my performance.’’ A torchbearer of Left politics in Kashmir, Tarigami’s is not a new face. He joined the Communists in 1967 and spent over seven years in jail for supporting Leftist politics. ‘‘I was jailed under Defence of India Rules (DIR). I was the first to be jailed under the draconian Public Safety Act here. It has become a routine nowadays,’’ he said. When violence first emerged in the Valley, Tarigami was one of the first political targets. Militants attacked his house and he survived a close call in 1989. In Kashmir, being a Communist is a disadvantage ‘‘because people take you to be an atheist’’, he said. Still, there are takers for real ideology because it involves the man on the street and his problems. Tarigami has had a hectic 20 days for he has held around 400 rallies in 112 villages across his constituency. This area is known to be a militant bastion, yet none has attacked him or his rally. His lieutenant said: ‘‘They are after the ruling National Conference. It is the government which has been suppressing people and committing atrocities, not we,’’ he said. The ruling party candidate, Ghulam Nabi Dar, however, is optimistic. ‘‘The Jamat vote is crucial here. But as there is no direction from that party, it can go in any direction.’’ A party man nearby immediately said: ‘‘They (the people) talk of Islam, and how can they vote for a party that does not believe in God? The people have to choose between a nimazi (one who offers prayers five times a day) and an atheist,’’ a party worker said. The NC’s poll slogan vividly explains the contours of the Kulgam contest. ‘‘Drout doukur mushrave, Islamus vote trave, Khuda sabh yaad thave, Albani vote trave (Forget sickle and hammer — the Communists — and vote for Islam; Remember God Almighty and vote for the plough — NC symbol)’’.
