Pulwama, Aug 29: Dr Talat Majid, an independent candidate backed by Jamaat-e-Islami for the Pulwama constituency, claimed on Thursday that the participation of JeI contestants in the upcoming elections has unnerved the National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah.
Dr Majid, who filed his nomination papers on August 27, 2024, had his candidacy approved by the concerned returning officer after scrutiny on Wednesday.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Majid responded to recent remarks by Omar Abdullah, in which the former chief minister talked about the shift in JeI’s stance on participating in elections.
Omar had said that elections were now permissible (halaal) for Jamaat-e-Islami when it was once forbidden (haraam) for them.
Majid criticised Abdullah for his “contradictory stand” on contesting the assembly elections. He questioned the NC leader’s decision to run for the Ganderbal constituency despite his earlier pledge not to participate until the restoration of statehood for Jammu & Kashmir.
He said that JeI has historically participated in the democratic process and denied any shift in its ideology.
The Jamaat-backed candidate said the mainstream political parties excluded JeI from the democratic process, “The people of Jammu & Kashmir know who kept Jamaat out of the democratic process by rigging 1987 assembly elections,” he said.
These political parties have been presenting JeI as a “ghost” in New Delhi. “They have been selling JeI as a threat to New Delhi to hold on to the seat of power,” he said, adding that now is the time to “reveal the factual story” from their perspective.
Talat further said that JeI has suffered huge losses, including the deaths of around 3,200 of its members in the violence following 1987. “Who were the people responsible for their killing,” he questioned.
“The mainstream political parties fear JeI’s participation in the democratic process and are apprehensive that it could erode their vote bank and power,” he said.
Advocating for democratic solutions to political, social and economic issues, Majid said it is important to focus on the present to secure the future for the youth of Jammu & Kashmir.
“We are committed to working towards political stability. Our priorities include enhancing education and strengthening the economy,” he said, adding that a robust economy and quality education would address many of J&K’s challenges.
