Jamaat-e-Islami, a banned outfit, is set to field at least three of its former members as Independent candidates in various constituencies of South Kashmir for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Today is the last day for filing nominations for this phase.
The Jamaat plans to field 10-12 candidates as Independents in the Valley during the three-phase Assembly polls. Initially, it planned to enter seven candidates as Independents for the first phase of polls, scheduled for September 18. However, three of these candidates have withdrawn. The Jamaat has now confirmed three Independent candidates and is still negotiating with a fourth candidate, according to a report from the Indian Express.
Sources within Jamaat-e-Islami confirm that Dr Talat Majeed has been chosen for the Pulwama constituency. Majeed, a former registered member of the Jamaat, is a resident of Pulwama and is described as “well-regarded” in the district’s social circles. He became the first Jamaat leader to align with mainstream parties in 2023 by joining Altaf Bukhari’s Apni Party, surprising many.
The Jamaat is fielding Sayar Ahmd Reshi from Kulgam. Reshi, who is the assistant director of the Jamaat-affiliated Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT), is a resident of Kulgam. In February, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided Reshi’s residence in Kulgam in connection with an alleged Jamaat terror funding case.
Mohammad Sidiq, a relatively unknown figure, will be the Independent candidate for the Devsar constituency.
The Jamaat is still in discussions about their potential fourth candidate for the Zainpora Assembly constituency in Shopian. “We are not sure yet, if he (fourth candidate) will get ready in time or not. He has some apprehensions but we are still in talks with him. If he agrees, we will field him or otherwise, we may extend our support to an Independent candidate in the constituency,” a Jamaat source was quoted as saying in the report.
The Jamaat, which is eager to have its ban lifted, aimed to field candidates from South Kashmir’s Bijbehara, Shopian, and Anantnag before they backed out at the last moment. The ban was imposed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in February 2019.
This struggle to field candidates reflects how its estimated 20,000-strong cadre across J&K may not be happy with the Jamaat’s decision to participate in the elections.
In July, The Indian Express reported that the Jamaat had been actively seeking to contest the Assembly elections after engaging in multiple rounds of talks with the Centre through Altaf Bukhari. The Centre, however, asked them to vote in the Lok Sabha elections as a condition for the lifting of the ban. A large number of Jamaat leaders voted in the polls.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases starting September 18. The second and third phase will be conducted on September 25 and October 1. Votes will be counted on October 4.
