Ganderbal, Sep 05: Sheikh Ashiq of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and independent candidate Sarjan Barkati, who is currently jailed, submitted their nomination papers for the Ganderbal constituency on Thursday.
Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party’s Atta Mohd Khatana, along with Mohd Ayoub Chohan of the All Jammu Kashmir Liberal Democratic Party and Abdul Majeed Baniya from the Republican Party of India (A), filed their nominations for the Kangan constituency.
The nominations were submitted at the offices of the Returning Officers in both Ganderbal and Kangan.
Sheikh Ashiq, a new face in politics representing AIP, expressed optimism about the future, saying, “Our party is in its infancy, and we are fielding fresh candidates in Ganderbal, Budgam, and Srinagar. If the people give us their mandate, Engineer Rashid’s party will work for the betterment of Ganderbal.”
Speaking to reporters here, Ashiq criticised other political parties, saying, “Our political parties formed the PAGD (People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration) and buried Articles 370 and 35A. They failed to communicate effectively with each other. Observing all this, I did not see any leader stand out like Engineer Rashid.”
Sarjan Barkati, after the rejection of his nomination for the Zainapora constituency in Shopian, has now shifted focus to the Ganderbal assembly segment. Adil Nazir Khan, who was present at Barkati’s nomination filing in Ganderbal, confirmed that Barkati remains undeterred and will contest both the Ganderbal and Beerwah seats.
“Sarjan Barkati is willing to join the democratic process and should be allowed to do so,” Khan said.
