AIP emerging as viable alternative in J&K, says spokesperson

Anantnag, Aug 20: The Awami Itihad Party (AIP) said on Tuesday that it is emerging as a “viable alternative” in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the wake of the “vacuum” created post-August 2019.
AIP spokesperson Firdous Ahmad Baba, addressing a press conference here, said the political landscape has significantly changed after 2019, leaving a vacuum that needs to be filled.
“AIP is emerging as an alternative, and fortunately, the people of J&K are embracing this change,” he said. “The people are fed up with the regional and traditional parties, which have repeatedly made hollow promises. These parties have contributed to creating the political vacuum, and there is now a pressing need to fill it. AIP offers a change that resonates with the people.”
In response to a question about the party being new to south Kashmir and the challenges it faces in establishing a base there, Baba said, “People are no one’s property. They have the free will and the power to give their mandate to anyone. It’s inappropriate to suggest that south Kashmir is the bastion of any particular party.”
He said the AIP manifesto will prioritise land security. “If it can be granted to northeastern states, there is no reason why J&K, with its highly eco-fragile land, should not be given the same consideration,” he said.
The manifesto, which will be released soon, will also focus on job rights and the issue of J&K residents who are imprisoned in different states of India, the spokesperson said, adding that the party will advocate for their release wherever possible.
Baba said that Prince Pervaiz, General Secretary, AIP, announced that Abdul Rehman Khadim from Pahalgam, Abdul Qayoom, DDC Member Kakpora, Harbaksh Singh, DDC Member Tral, and G N Shaheen from Tral joined the party. Zameer Ahmad Dukroo, south Kashmir in-charge of AIP and others were also present during the press conference.