Srinagar, Oct 27 (HS): Mir Saifullah’s political journey began in student politics at the University of Kashmir and later took him through the National Conference (NC) organisation in Kupwara, the Assembly and a previous stint as a minister. The four-time legislator from north Kashmir was sworn in as a minister in the Omar Abdullah-led government on Tuesday.

Saifullah’s induction gives north Kashmir two representatives in the Council of Ministers, alongside Javid Ahmad Dar, who represents Rafiabad. His return to the ministry also brings a senior NC figure from Kupwara back into the government.

Speaking to the media after taking oath, Saifullah said he was happy to join the government and pledged to work for the people. “I am very happy. InshaAllah, I will work for the people. I will work for the people of the entire Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Saifullah was born in 1962 at Shumnagh in Kupwara district. A law graduate, he served as secretary of the Kashmir University Students Union and later as an NC Block President in Kupwara. His 2024 election affidavit records an LL.B degree from the University of Kashmir, awarded in 1987.

He was first elected to the Assembly from Kupwara in 1996 and retained the seat in 2002 and 2008. His 2002 victory was particularly close, as he defeated independent candidate Ghulam Qadir Mir by 132 votes. He also served as chairman of the Subordinate Legislative Committee.

Saifullah lost Kupwara in 2014. Following delimitation, he contested the newly delimited Trehgam constituency in the 2024 Assembly elections and defeated Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference candidate Bashir Ahmad Dar by 3,626 votes. Saifullah polled 18,002 votes against Dar’s 14,376.

His return to the ministry marks his second stint in the Jammu and Kashmir government. He was inducted into Omar Abdullah’s first government in January 2013, when he was serving as the MLA from Kupwara.

According to his 2024 election affidavit, Saifullah declared no criminal cases. His total declared assets stood at about Rs 6.03 crore, while liabilities were listed at Rs 24.81 lakh. The affidavit describes him as an advocate and former minister.

Three other NC legislators were sworn in alongside him on Tuesday — party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani, popularly known as Altaf Kaloo. Sagar is a veteran of several Assembly terms, while Firdous and Wani are also senior NC leaders.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat