j-k-polls-jamaat-e-islami-members-file-nomination-papers

Several senior members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Jammu and Kashmir have filed their nomination papers for the Assembly elections in the Union Territory (UT) as independent candidates.

 

This signals a significant departure from the group’s policy to not get involved in electoral politics since 1987.

 

Sugra Barkati, daughter of jailed separatist party leader Sarjan Barkati filed nomination papers on behalf of her father. 

 

JeI earlier expressed interest in taking part in the Lok Sabha elections if the ban by the Union Home Ministry was removed.

 

Former Ameer of Jamaat, Talat Majeed, filed his nomination papers from the Pulwama constituency as an independent candidate. 

 

 "In view of the prevalent geopolitical scenario I felt the time had come for us to take part in the political process. I have been expressing my views since 2014 very openly and I am taking that agenda forward even today," he said.

Majeed said that organisations like Jamaat and Hurriyat Conference have a say in the present political scenario. "We as Kashmiris must live in the present and strive for a better future," he  added.

 

The third ex-Jamaat leader in the fray is former Jamaat chief Sayar Ahmad Reshi, who is contesting from the Kulgam Assembly seat. 

 

He called on people to vote as per their will when pressed, responding, "To disgrace or bless any particular individual, it is Allah's discretion. But I will appeal to people to vote as per their conscience.

While admitting that the youth had been weaned away from violence after being introduced to sports, he said, "There is no doubt that the youth have been given bats, but it will not fill their stomachs. There is unemployment, and killings continue to happen," he added.

 

Sarjan Barkati, the iconic resistance leader since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in 2016, is contesting from his home district, Shopian. His daughter filed the nomination papers, as he is still in jail on terror charges himself.

 

This is the first Assembly polls in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which will be conducted in three phases from September 18, with counting slated for October 4.