AIP to field maximum candidates across J&K

Srinagar, Aug 19: Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) is likely to contest all seats in the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir and aims to participate in the maximum number of seats.
This was stated by the party’s chief spokesperson Firdous Baba on Monday in an exclusive conversation with Rising Kashmir.
Baba expressed optimism about the party’s prospects, noting that the strong support AIP has received in Lok Sabah elections would likely continue in the upcoming polls. “We are hopeful that the way people have supported us in the Lokh Sabah elections, they will continue to support us in the same way,” he said.
The spokesperson stated that AIP’s political approach is grounded in reality, contrasting it with what he described as the “daydreams” offered by other political parties.
In a pointed remark towards the National Conference (NC), the Baba criticised their ongoing campaign for the restoration of Article 370, calling it an unrealistic promise. “NC is still showing daydreams to the people of Jammu and Kashmir by stating that they will continue to fight for the restoration of Article 370,” he said.
Looking ahead to the upcoming elections, AIP plans to introduce a majority number of new candidates. The spokesperson expressed confidence that the party would emerge as a strong contender. “This time, we will bring maximum new faces to the field, and we hope to emerge as the winning party,” he asserted.
The party reiterated its commitment to core issues such as land security, job security, and the release of prisoners. Unlike traditional political parties, the spokesperson highlighted that AIP will not make “unrealistic” promises to the electorate. He reaffirmed the party’s adherence to the principles of its leader, MP Engineer Rashid, who is currently incarcerated in Tihar.
Rashid has been a staunch opponent of dynastic politics, a stance the party upholds, he said.
In response to speculation about Engineer Rashid’s brother potentially entering politics, the AIP spokesperson said his recent resignation does not imply that he will be contesting the election. “His resignation does not mean he will contest the election; that decision has not been made yet. He resigned because he was not doing justice to his job,” Baba explained.
The party also announced that it would soon release a list of all its candidates.
When asked about a recent comment made by an AIP leader claiming that the party would sweep all seats in Kashmir, the spokesperson dismissed it as an individual opinion, not reflective of the party’s official stance.