Two Days Ahead of Polling, Engineer Rashid, Jamaat Joins Hands

   

SRINAGAR: In an interesting political development – barely days ahead of the first of the three phase assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) led by Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, has entered into a pre-poll alliance with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).

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Engineer Rasheed (AIP) and Dr Shah Feasal (JKPM) announce the setting up of JK Peoples United Front on June 18, 2019. KL Image

This alliance marks the emergence of a new front in the region’s political landscape, one that analysts suggest could pose a challenge to established parties like the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While the PDP is fighting the election solo, JKNC is contesting in alliance with the Congress.

The alliance was formalised during a joint meeting of both parties, where the AIP was represented by its leader Engineer Rashid and chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, while the JeI delegation was led by Ghulam Qadir Wani. According to a joint statement, the two parties will collaborate across the region, with AIP supporting JeI-backed candidates in Kulgam and Pulwama, and JeI extending support to AIP candidates throughout Kashmir. In constituencies where both parties have fielded candidates, a “friendly contest” is expected.

AIP has fielded 34 candidates across Jammu and Kashmir, contesting 33 seats in the Kashmir and one in Jammu. Jamaat-e-Islami, whose candidates are running as Independents due to the group’s banned status, has fielded nine candidates in key constituencies across Kashmir, particularly in the southern districts of Kulgam and Pulwama. The alliance will see AIP throwing its support behind Jamaat-backed candidates in these areas, while Jamaat will back AIP candidates in other parts of Kashmir.

Engineer Rashid, in a statement following the alliance, emphasised that the primary objective of the partnership is to raise the voice of Kashmiris on key issues, including the long-standing Kashmir conflict. “We are joining hands to ensure that the aspirations and sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are well-represented,” Rashid stated, adding that both parties are committed to finding a peaceful solution to the region’s political problems.

Ghulam Qadir Wani, representing Jamaat-e-Islami, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the rapidly shifting political climate both locally and globally. “Neither of us can afford to remain passive in this volatile landscape,” he remarked, underscoring the alliance’s focus on promoting justice, peace, and political empowerment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Political observers in Kashmir suggest that this alliance could have some impact on the traditional power bases of the NC and PDP, particularly in the PDP’s stronghold in South Kashmir. “The PDP’s support has historically come from Jamaat cadres, and with this new alignment, PDP’s votes in areas like Pulwama and Kulgam will be significantly affected,” a political analyst noted.

The NC could also face competition in North and Central Kashmir, where Engineer Rashid’s AIP enjoys support. “If Jamaat’s influence successfully merges with Rashid’s popularity in these regions, we could see a significant shift in the electoral results,” the analyst added.

While the alliance has the potential to disrupt the status quo in Jammu and Kashmir’s political field, it may also deepen existing rifts within the Jamaat. The organisation has been grappling with internal divisions since the late 1990s, particularly following its disassociation from militancy. Some members of the JeI are reportedly uncomfortable with the decision to enter the electoral fray, which could lead to further fragmentation within the group.

The alliance has prompted reactions from political rivals, with some hinting at a deeper conspiracy behind the scenes. PDP senior leader Naeem Akhtar expressed scepticism, suggesting that external forces might be influencing the alliance. “This is neither in the interest of Jammu and Kashmir nor democracy,” Akhtar told reporters, calling for greater transparency regarding the terms of the agreement between AIP and JeI.

Most of the political parties in Kashmir see the alliance to have been brokered by the BJP, which is keen to divide the votes so that neither of the Kashmir parties emerges as the single largest party.

In contrast, both AIP and JeI have remained focused on the larger goal of securing a “resounding victory” in the upcoming elections, with a joint strategy to spread their message across Kashmir. “This collaboration is a significant step towards a united front for peace and political empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir,” an AIP spokesperson said, reiterating the importance of unity in the region’s evolving political landscape.

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