Political Alliance in Jammu and Kashmir Aims to Raise the Voice of Kashmiris
In a significant political development, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI) have joined forces for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The main aim of this alliance, according to AIP chief Engineer Rashid, is to "raise the voice of Kashmiris" and find a solution to the ongoing issue in the region.
The two parties will support each other's candidates in various constituencies, with a "friendly contest" planned for some seats. This alliance comes amidst criticism from the National Conference, with Farooq Abdullah questioning Engineer Rashid's release from jail and claiming him to be an ally of the BJP and RSS. However, Rashid dismissed these claims and advised Abdullah not to be scared of the upcoming change.
It is important to note that the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir was banned by the Union Home Ministry in 2019, with the ban being extended for five more years in February 2023.
The AIP-JEI alliance is not the only pre-poll pact in Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress and the National Conference are also contesting the elections together, with a seat-sharing agreement and a "friendly contest" on some seats. These are the first assembly polls in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.