Rafi Ahmed Mir (born 1956) was the MLA of Pahalgam, till 23/12/2014, belonging to a big political family Rafi Ahmed Mir son of ex-MLC, MLA late G.A Mir who worked with Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. His forefathers remained close to Maharaja Hari Singh and later on in participants in active politics of kashmir. Rafi Mir as a college student did lot of political activity he was the then secretary of All Kashmir Students youth Welfare Council. He mobilised the college youth to utilise their potential towards constructive ways and also take part in political activities. After graduating Mir formed a local environment NGO Green Pahalgam and was also elected chairman, Municipal Committee in Pahalgam in 1984, his work as chairman was so much appreciated that he was handpicked by then Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah to contest from Assembly segment Pahalgam. In 1987 he was the youngest MLA of the state winning from Pahalgam with a huge margin. After militancy broke out, Rafi Ahmad Mir, like all other NC workers fled from Kashmir but the locals went in a delegation to him and get him back. He was perhaps the lone NC hand who never migrated from Kashmir. His political activities were beyond Pahalgam, like his father he was known for his public relations across the state. He was the face of National Conference from South Kashmir. He served as National Conferences Provincial Secretary as well. Ironically Rafi was attacked by militants a number of times once in 1999,2002,2006.He ecaped bid on life when militants fired upon hi vehicle, heavily damaging the vehicle that Mir was driving. In 2002, got ticket from NC and fought elections against Mehbooba Mufti but got defeated by a very narrow margin. Later when Mehbooba contested Parliament election, in 2004, by-poll, Rafi contested against Mufti Mohd. Sayeed the then Chief Minister who won by a margin of 2500 votes only. Rafi was known to give a tough fight to father daughter duo. Later he developed differences with the leadership of National Conference and felt the partys response towards his workers was suffocating him and later joined PDP in 2007. He was nominated as MLC in 2008 and got elected as MLA in 2008 elections defeating NC by a margin of over 11000 votes. Mir is a decades long politician known for his public concerns. Today one of the best speakers in the legislative Assembly he raises issues of public importance [1][2] which include tourism, the panchayat raj empowerment, Custodial killing of youth, Revockation of AFSPA, PSA, Health etc. He headed Public Undertakings Committee of the J&K Assembly. Presently he is the chairman of Public Accounts Committee[3] of the state legislature. He is party head from South Kashmir being the district committee head of Parliament elections, Panchayat elections etc. Today he is one of the close aides of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and is known for his proximity with the party top brass. Rafi Mir is also one of those few leaders of Kashmir who always are in touch with the Pandit community [4] and help for their viable return to the valley. Mr. Mir is a popular leader when it comes to public relations as he is always available for public meetings even during snowy winter seasons. His secularism no doubt makes him a fine leader with a strong voter base. He was also praised by the H.E Governor of the Jammu and Kashmir state for helping in fecilitating smooth conduct of Shri Amarnath ji Yatra. Mir also started social drives in his area like the green plantation drive, ban on use of polythene, various medical camps and educational counselling sessions for students.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 17:17:03 +0000
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