Srinagar, Aug 25: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday welcomed the banned Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JeI) intention to participate in the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir, calling it a positive development. She urged the Government of India (GoI) to lift the ban on the JeI.
Talking to reporters, the PDP President said the Union Government should lift the ban on Jamaat, saying the JeI has “played a significant role in the region, particularly in education and disaster relief efforts”.
Mehbooba said her party would contest the assembly elections independently. “We have nearly finalised our candidates for the constituencies. While the Congress and the National Conference are still to announce theirs, we have already done so,” she added.
She said, “The PDP’s agenda is clear, including the resolution of Jammu & Kashmir’s status and ensuring that the people here live with dignity and pride.”
“The abrogation of Article 370 has only further complicated matters. Whenever the resolution process begins, it will inevitably start with the restoration of Article 370,” she added.
Mufti said the people of north Kashmir expressed their support for the “plebiscite sentiment” during the Lok Sabha elections by electing Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, who is currently in jail.
The JeI was banned by the BJP government in 2019 before the abrogation of Article 370 and after the Pulwama fidayeen attack on a CRPF convoy.
A tribunal in Delhi on Saturday upheld the ban imposed on JeI under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Recently, in parliament elections, many JeI leaders cast their votes and expressed their willingness to contest the assembly elections if the Centre lifted the ban on them.
Jammu & Kashmir is slated for polls on September 18 in the first phase when 24 segments will vote. The second and third phases are being held on September 25 and October 1. Counting will be held on October 4. This is the first assembly elections held in the UT after the abrogation of Article 370.
