Addressing a press briefing in Srinagar today, JK People’s Party Chief Sheeban Ashai announced his candidature for Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency for upcoming parliament elections 2024. Stressing on need for a voice of Kashmiris inside parliament; Ashai stated, “When every community and section of society has a voice in Parliament, it is extremely important for Kashmiris to have strong representation at the highest level.
In a statement issued here, he said that Kashmiris have always felt unrepresented in both Houses of Indian parliament where politicians elected from erstwhile state have not failed to echo sentiments and aspirations of common citizens. Ashai expressed that unequivocal, pronounced manifesto of the party which was brought to light in August 2022 is the biggest testament of JK People’s Party’s politics of virtuousness.
“We have never had any hidden agendas, our political road map and ideology is transparent and unambivalent. Ashai welcomed renowned youth activist Musadiq Mehraj on the momentous day of Lok Sabha announcement and encouraged youth to take initiative in becoming part of policy making. Mehraj hailing from an illustrious family of renowned businessmen in Srinagar is a graduate from Kashmir University in Business Management & a prominent face amongst Srinagar youth. Ashai recalled important events if political significance from last ten years of BJP’s direct and proxy rule in erstwhile state, termed it as one of the darkest times in history of Kashmir .
He ingeminated that people have to reject fiendish moves of BJP government, send a strong message of disapproval for illegal, unconstitutional abrogation of Article’s 370 and 35A in upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Any wrong decision on our part would not only send a wrong message to entire world but also in a way support BJP’s idea and style of functioning. Ashai reminded people to not forget the testing times when entire Kashmir was turned into an open jail, thousands of people detained, state suffered losses of more than two lakh crores, about two and half lakh people lost their jobs thanks to the undemocratic abrogation of Article’s 370 and 35A.
Ashai epitomised party’s ideology of standing up for minority rights, lambasted BJP’s for not providing adequate security to minorities in Kashmir. Our manifesto and our clear stand on all important issues sets us apart for duplicit, nefarious politics of contemporaries. Ashai urged people across all regions, age groups and social strata to for once examine candidates based on their merit and service towards Kashmiri nation. Our values and principles are something we have never compromised with and we would continue to serve the Kashmiri nation with all the strength & zest.
