Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen: PDF Chairman And His Dual Constituency Move (image: facebook.com/Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen)

Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen is the founder and chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (Secular). In the ongoing Assembly elections, veteran Political leader is contesting from two constituencies – Khan Sahib and Charar-e-Shareef.

A former minister, Yaseen has handled key ministerial portfolios including Power, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Revenue over the course of his political career.

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Yaseen’s entry into electoral politics was in 2002 from Khan Sahib as an independent candidate. In the maiden polls, he secured 20,186 votes. He then defeated National Conference (NC) candidate by a huge margin of 15,793 votes.

Prior to the 2008 Assembly election, Yaseen launched his party, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (Secular) and contested under the “cup and saucer” symbol. In the polls, he retained his position by defeating Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Saif Ud Din Bhat by a margin of 8,395 votes. The victory in 2014 polls marked his hattrick from Khan Sahib assembly segment. Though Bhat again contested on a PDP ticket, Yaseen fortified his position by garnering 26,649 votes. PDP leader retreated to the second position by 1,109 votes.  As Yaseen is seeking his fourth consecutive term from Khan Sahib, the decreasing vote margin might raise concerns.

In the current election, Yaseen is aiming a step higher; seasoned politician’s dual constituency bid is meant to advance his party’s influence. During the election campaigns in Charar-e-Shareef, PDF chairman said that creation of employment opportunities and livelihood avenues for the local youth is his main aim, Kashmir News Service reports. He also added that he will fight for the restoration of all constitutional rights that annihilated after arbitration of article 370.

Yaseen is a strong proponent for implementing Article 371 in Jammu and Kashmir. While talking to reporters in August this year, PDF chief stated that implementation of Article 371 is important to safeguard the land and job rights of the people. Adding further, he said that only the Parliament can restore Article 370, and politicians promising its revival are misleading the public, Roshan Kashmir reports.

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In another gathering, he has also urged the voters to reject dynastic political parties, referring their betrayal of Jammu and Kashmir’s trust since 1953, Kashmir News Service reports.

In September 2022, the poll body deregistered Yaseen’s party saying non-existence based on physical verification and undelivered letters. Later, PDF got reinstated allowing the party to function in full swing.