Baramulla, Oct 27: Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Baramulla constituency, Javid Hassan Baig, on Tuesday recalled an incident from 2017, when he was summoned to Jammu amid indications of his possible induction into the then PDP-led coalition government.
In a post on social media, MLA Baramulla, however, said the call was only to inform him, hours later, that he would not be inducted into the Council of Ministers.
Baig said he received a call from the office of the then Chief Minister asking him to reach Jammu ahead of a scheduled Cabinet expansion and bring clothes for the oath-taking ceremony, “along with five close relatives, friends or associates.”
As per the post recalling the incident, the communication led him to believe that he was likely to be inducted into the Cabinet, with rumours of his possible elevation also circulating in Lolab village when he was there to attend a condolence meeting following the death of a close relative of the then minister Abdul Haq Khan.
Baig wrote that he had been associated with the PDP since 1998 and recalled that his colleagues were excited by the prospect.
He also recounted how his wife, despite suffering from a back problem and being advised complete bed rest, came out to meet him at Sangrama as he travelled towards Jammu.
“However, at around 7:30 pm, I received a call from the party office informing me that my induction would not take place,” he said.
“I simply replied, ‘No problem’,” Baig said, recalling the conversation.
The MLA from Baramulla said he had never considered his induction into the Cabinet certain, adding that he had received similar indications on earlier occasions as well, but “they never materialised.”
Baig said he had no complaint against the leadership, either at the time or now, and acknowledged that political decisions were shaped by organisational, administrative and other compulsions.
The MLA from Baramulla, who is currently associated with the National Conference, said he was not in the race for a ministerial position and did not consider such an appointment his entitlement.
“It has only been my third year in the National Conference,” he said, pointing out that several colleagues had spent decades with their parties, contested elections multiple times and made significant contributions.
He also referred to the constitutional limit on the number of ministers in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that political maturity required leaders to understand the constraints faced by the leadership and continue working for their party.
Baig congratulated those inducted into the Cabinet and urged them to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, wisdom and a commitment to public service.
“A ministerial position is not merely an office of authority but a responsibility that carries accountability towards the people,” he added.
The MLA also called for respect for colleagues who had not found a place in the Cabinet, particularly senior leaders who had worked for their parties over many years.
Reflecting on his political journey, Baig said being elected as an MLA was itself a significant achievement and an opportunity to represent the people that should not be taken for granted.
He urged elected representatives to focus on addressing public grievances and improving people’s lives, saying even helping one person overcome difficulties could constitute a meaningful achievement.
Baig further said that peace of mind did not come from having every wish fulfilled but from valuing what one had and fulfilling one’s responsibilities sincerely.
“Not every morsel is meant to go down your throat. Whatever goes down is yours; whatever does not, is beyond your control,” he wrote, describing the episode as a lesson in patience and acceptance.
