SRINAGAR: Mian Altaf Ahmad MLA of Kangan, is both worried and relieved. The worry, he said, is because with the state being under central rule , MLAs of the suspended assembly can do little to solve the problems of people in his constituency. The relief is because the people know this, and do not ask much from him.“Because of some personal goodwill I have with the state bureaucracy, I can still get some problems of the people redressed. Otherwise, officials in Kashmir are inaccessible for common people,” said the National Conference leader and former minister.After the state was placed under governor’s rule in June, MLAs have become harried and nervous, without much power, no functions and not much idea of when elections will take place.Mahammad Abbas Wani, Peoples Development Party MLA from Gulmarg, just sits at home on most days. “What is there to do? What is a legislator without work, power or influence? It has been months like this,” he said. The early winter this year, which has blanketed Kashmir in snow, has made matters worse. And very dreary.Others are at least trying to stay connected with their constituents though they can't do much. Senior CPI (M) leader and Kulgam MLA M Yousuf Tarigami was perhaps the only representative to visit his constituency on Tuesday after heavy snowfall.“Villagers are in immediate need of assistance by the administration. There is not much I can do under current circumstances, but at least I can meet them, and appeal to officials to help save orchards and farm produce after the damage caused by snow,” Tarigami told TOI on Thursday.Pattan MLA Imran Reza Ansari still holds durbars where people meet him. “But it is difficult for us to do anything concrete for them these days when bureaucrats run the state. I have mainly been touring my constituency,” he said.Yet others are veterans at political uncertainties. Gulmarg MLA Mohammad Abbas Wani of PDP said, “I was elected in 2014. Mufti Mohd Sayeed took three months to form the government. Then we waited three months after he passed away and before his daughter took over. So I am used to waiting.”MLAs from south Kashmir constituencies such as in Anantnag, Pulwama and Shopian said they were scared of meeting their voters, given the uncertain political climate and rise in militancy, and hoped governor’s rule would continue for the time being because they were being asked tough questions by the people. PDP MLA Ashraf Mir of Sonwar said, “There is a very real fear of losing voters because we do not have any power or ability to make policy.”The future is no less uncertain. “I would prefer early elections so we can get on with the work we used to do. Anything is better than this,” said Imran Ansari. However, most ruled out the return of BJP to power in the state in the near future.

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