Srinagar, Aug 22: The Awami Itihad Party (AIP) announced its first list of nine candidates for south Kashmir for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference, AIP chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said the selection of candidates was made after extensive consultations with the general public and civil society. He confirmed that the party intends to contest the elections independently and will not form alliances with other political parties in Kashmir.
“The list of nine candidates for south Kashmir has been framed after due consultation with common people and civil society,” Nabi said.
The candidates include Abdul Qayoom Mir, who will contest from Pampore, Dr Harbaksh Singh from Tral, Sofi Iqbal for Pulwama and Molvi Fayaz Wagay representing Zainapora, Shopian.
Mohammad Arif Dar will contest from DH Pora, Kulgam, Dr Suhail Bhat from Devsar, Kulgam, Hilal Ahmad Malik from Dooru, Anantnag, Aqib Mushtaq from Anantnag West, and Tawseef Nisar in Anantnag 144.
The spokesperson said the party is preparing to release its manifesto in the coming days, following further internal discussions.
He added that AIP Supremo and Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Engineer Rashid, is currently lodged in Tihar Jail. “The hearing for his bail is scheduled for August 28, and the party remains hopeful for his release,” he said.
Earlier, the party said they expect to sweep the entire Kashmir region, as the people of Kashmir have full faith in Er Rashid’s mission.
In the Lok Sabha elections, the AIP supremo, despite remaining in jail, achieved a landslide victory, defeating two major figures, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC) chief Sajad Gani Lone. The party took the lead in 14 out of 18 seats in the north Kashmir Parliament seat.
It will be interesting to see whether Engineer Rashid’s continued imprisonment will benefit the party or hinder it and whether they will emerge as a new political force capable of winning seats in Kashmir.
The AIP has previously announced that they will contest all seats in the Kashmir Valley and aim to field candidates in as many constituencies as possible.
