Shah Faesal keen to contest LS polls but won't join mainstream parties 'as of now'

Former IAS officer Shah Faesal, who quit the service recently, Friday shared his future plans, saying he would not join any mainstream political parties "as of now", or separatist Hurriyat Conference, but would be happy to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The 2010-batch officer said he was deeply inspired by the style of politics of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, but the "situation" in Jammu and Kashmir would not allow him to pursue politics their style.

"As of now, I do not have any plans to join any existing mainstream political party. I plan to go to the field, listen to the ground, to the youngsters and important stakeholders and then take a decision," he told reporters here.

"I am deeply inspired by Imran Khan and Arvind Kejriwal. But, we know we are operating in a conflict zone and it is not very easy for us to work in that space, a space which has lost legitimacy in last few years.

"I wish if the youngsters of the state give me that kind of opportunity, I will be happy to do a retake of Imran Khan and Kejriwal," Faesal added.

He said he would be holding consultations with all staekholders including political parties before taking the next step. "In Kashmir, we need to come together. We are in a crisis situation. It is not time to do politics on the graves of the people."
Asked if he would be contesting the elections, Faesal said, "I will be happy to contest the upcoming elections. In fact, I believe parliament and legislature are important space and we need well-meaning and right people there."
He said that in the recent years, due to the "delegitimising" of the electoral politics because of the way it has been conducted, youths are not attracted to it. "We need to change that. I wish to use Parliament for engagement, for bringing solutions to our problems."
"We have this political discourse and there are certain taboo words ... we should not talk about azaadi, we should not talk about azaadi, we should not talk about plebiscite... all these, which are not actually taboo words."
In response to a question about the timing of his resignation, Faesal said he did it at the right time. "Resignation is a weapon which can be used only once and I think I have used it at the right time."
"The other thing that has led to me being disgruntled is the curbs placed on the free speech of individuals in the country and the culture of hate and intolerance used to win elections."