Srinagar: In a significant development that sent ripples through the political landscape of the valley, the banned Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday announced that it was ready to contest upcoming Assembly elections, if the central government revokes ban on it.
This statement marked a potentially transformative moment in the region’s tumultuous political history, promising to reshape the dynamics of electoral politics and governance in the valley.
The announcement came from Jamaat-e-Islami’s panel head Ghulam Qadir Wani during a rare press conference here. Wani, who was seen casting his vote in the May 13 polls for Srinagar Lok Sabha polls along with other JeI activists, articulated their readiness to re-engage with the democratic process.
“We have always believed in the power of people’s mandate and democratic governance,” he said. “If the Centre removes the ban imposed on us, we are ready to participate in the elections and work towards the betterment of Kashmir through legitimate political means.”
Wani said a crucial session of JeI’s Majlis-e Shoora was held and a decision was taken to contest polls. “We never changed our stance as we believe in democracy,” he said.
Asked why the JeI members boycotted polls in the past, he said when nobody voted, JeI followed suit. “There was pressure and threat as well,” Wani claimed.
This story was originally published in deccanherald.com. Read the full story here.
