Srinagar, Aug 28: J&K Awami National Conference (ANC) Senior Vice President Muzaffar Shah on Wednesday announced a pre-poll alliance with the J&K United Movement led by former MLA Ishfaq Jabbar in the wake of the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir.
“Both parties have reached a consensus and will jointly contest the forthcoming assembly elections,” Shah said while addressing a press conference here.
During the event, the ANC welcomed a political leader Abdul Rashid Haroon, along with his supporters, into the party.
Muzaffar Shah said, “The alliance represents a strategic move aimed at consolidating political forces to present a united front in the elections.”
He disclosed that the ANC leadership has finalised the decision for him to contest from the Habba Kadal constituency.
Moreover, under the leadership of the party president Begum Khalida Shah, nine candidates have been officially nominated for the upcoming assembly elections in various constituencies, the ANC said in a statement issued here.
ANC Senior Vice President Muzzafar Shah has been selected to contest from Habbakadal (Constituency No. 21), Vice President A.R. Wani from Chanapora (Constituency No. 23), and Provincial President Riyaz Ahmed Mir (Rahi) from Shalteng (Constituency No. 26).
Arshad Ahmad Rather will represent Pampore (Constituency No. 32), while Rafiq Ahmed Kenroo has been chosen for Anantnag (Constituency No. 44) and Shabir Ahmad Paddar for Pahalgam (Constituency No. 47). Chowdhury Mohd Basharat will contest from Thanamandi (Constituency No. 87), Abdul Rashid Haroon from Lalchowk (Constituency No. 22), and Bashir Ahmad Naikoo from Pulwama (Constituency No. 34), the statement said, adding, “These nominations reflect the party’s strategic approach to securing a strong representation in the forthcoming elections.”
Meanwhile, Shah criticised the National Conference-Congress alliance, saying the “coalition has failed to take all parties on board and focused solely on their own interests rather than fostering a broader political unity and working in the best interest of the people”.
