Srinagar: Brother of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who was hanged to death for the crime, the members of banned outfit Jamaat-e-Islami and several other separatists are among those who are likely to contest the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections. The elections are scheduled to be held from September 18 to October 1.
Members of banned outfits to contest as Independents
Several media houses, including the Times of India and Network 18 group reported that separatists and some former terrorists have come together to form a group named Tahreek-e-Awam. They now plan to contest elections being held in the state after almost a decade. The Assembly elections are being held in 3 phases.
The separatists will be contesting the elections as Independent candidates. The move is a departure from earlier times, when separatists in Jammu and Kashmir used to boycott elections. They now seem to be planning to become part of the mainstream.
Meanwhile Sajad Gani Lone, the head of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) welcomed the move by the Jamaat-e-Islami to contest the upcoming Assembly Elections. In a post on ‘X’ he said, “I am extremely pleased if the news that some individuals affiliated with Jamaat Islamia are contesting elections is true. I sincerely hope it is.”
I am extremely pleased if the news that some individuals affiliated with Jamaat Islamia are contesting elections is true. I sincerely hope it is.@JKPCOfficial and Jamaat have coexisted in the mainstream political space prior to 1989. We rarely agreed politically and often…
— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) August 26, 2024
He recalled this his party and the Jamaat have coexisted in the mainstream political space prior to 1989, though they rarely agreed politically and often fought each other bitterly in elections. He further said that there was never an overlap ideologically. He expressed confidence at being able to contest the elections against them. He welcomed the Jamaat to the elections, terming them as “victims”.
The decision by the separatists came after Abdul Rashid Sheikh, better known as Engineer Rashid defeated National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, in the Lok Sabha Elections. One of the most prominent faces from the party will be Ajaz Ahmad Guru, brother of Afzal Guru who was hanged for his role in the Parliament attack of 2001.
