Assembly polls in J&K are taking place after a decade, with polling for the first phase just over. The focus now shifts to phase two, for which political parties have started campaigning.
With an impressive 61 per cent turnout recorded in the phase one poll, observers expect even better numbers in the upcoming phase.
The polls, which had been boycotted earlier in J&K by separatist elements have seen a change. Former militants, separatist leaders, and members of the banned Jamaat are not only embracing democracy but are also contesting the elections.
As per official data, 25 contestants in the polls are either former militants, separatists, or belong to the now-banned Jamaat-e-Islami.
Among the candidates in the fray are ex-militants like Farooq Ahmad Dar, separatists, and their kin such as Zaffar Habib Dar, Javed Hubbi, and Aga Muntazir.
Additionally, several candidates from the JeI are also contesting for different assembly segments in Kashmir Valley.
Jamaat, despite the Home Ministry ban, has fielded its candidates in 15 constituencies where they have some influence as independents.
The seats include Pulwama, Kulgam, Zainapora, and Devsar in south Kashmir, as well as Beerwah, Langate, Bandipora, Baramulla, Sopore, and Rafiabad in the north.
Party candidates include Talat Majid, Sayaar Ahmad, and Hafiz Mohammad.
Zaffar Habib Dar is contesting for J&K Apni Party. A former activist of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, he recently transitioned into mainstream politics and is now contesting from the Central Shalteng Assembly.
He says he now believes “We can solve problems (the Kashmir issue) only through the electoral process. Everyone should participate in the electoral process by casting their vote.”
This marks the end of Jamaat’s hardliner stance in the region. Although many experts point out that Jamaat is contesting polls for survival and to keep out the BJP from gaining ground in south Kashmir.
Additionally, ex-militant Farooq Ahmad Dar, also known as Saifullah Farooq, is contesting on a Samajwadi Party ticket from the Habba Kadal constituency.
Part of the insurgency in 1989, he was among thousands of youth who went to Pakistan, received training and arms, and came back to fight in the ‘90s.
Looking back, he now regrets the decisions he took in the past.
While talking to reporters, he said that everyone picked up the gun. “We were misled by Pakistani agents in Kashmir.”
After spending a year as a militant, he, like hundreds of others, surrendered to the police and spent almost five years in jail.
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