Ever since Nasir Aslam Wani became a bosom friend of Omar Abdullah, there has been no looking back. He gave up his business and finally succeeded in reaching among the frontline leaders of the National Conference (NC). He formally joined Youth NC in 1998 and became political secretary to Omar. After Omar won the last Lok Sabha election, it was Nasir who was the bridge between the voters and the MP.

Nasir belongs to a political family. His grandfather Ghulam Nabi once represented Lolab. The family settled in Srinagar. Nasir did his schooling in the city and attended a local college. It was perhaps why when Omar nominated him to Amirakadal and somebody asked him why a Sogami is representing heart of Srinagar, he said– ‘he was born in Lala Ded (hospital).’

Initially, Omar pitched to get Nasir nominated for Lolab but it triggered a mess as Dr Abdullah was not ready to disown the Lones. It created bad blood as elders saw Nasir as an outsider who was piggybacking Omar to be what he intends to.

Nasir, however, managed to win the elections of a deserted Amira Kadal. From an electorate of 75277, as many as 11274 voted and Nasir got 3922 votes winning by a margin of 819 votes.

Post polls, Nasir became a minister. Until recently he was a minister of state for Tourism, Housing and Urban Development, PHE, Revenue, R&B and Mechanical Engineering. Now he is minister of state for home, a position that was occupied earlier by Abdul Rehman Veeri and slain Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, who also was a resident of Lolab.

Nasir is patient and articulate. He landed in only one controversy so far when Dr Fayaz Shawl accused him of subverting his idea of creating a world class heart centre in Srinagar, an allegation Sogami denied.

Though Nasir shadows Omar even to the dhabas but when he got the ticklish home portfolio, he was a bit nervous. He did not waste any time and hit the twitter to say: “Great confidence reposed on me by Our Hon. Chief Minister. Hope I come up to his expectations.” Prompt came Omar’s reply: “I have no doubt that you’ll do a great job. I’m always there to help so don’t worry”. Many think, Sogami’s new job is aimed at ‘balancing the power’ in the shadow cabinet. Who knows?

1 COMMENT

  1. He is good and cool guy would appreciate if he will contact Dr.shawl for reconsidering his project ” world class heart centre in Srinagar,”

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