Ex-Jamaat leaders back independent candidate, organise massive rally in Kulgam

Kulgam, Sep 08: The ex-leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) held a massive rally in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district for an independent candidate on Sunday.

The ex-Jamaat leaders recently decided to participate in polls and back independent candidates from two assembly constituencies – Pulwama and Kulgam in south Kashmir for the first phase of polling.

Since Sunday afternoon, the former members and supporters of Jamaat from different areas made a beeline for the Bogam village to participate in the rally.

Addressing the rally, Sayar Ahmad Reshi, who recently filed his nomination papers from the Kulgam assembly segment, said that they would try to address the vacuum created by the regional political parties.

He said that a large attendance at the rally was a testament to their strength.

Reshi said that they were prepared to face any criticism for the decision they made.

Jamaat has been steering clear of elections after the 1987 polls, widely perceived to have been “rigged”.

The organisation made its electoral debut in 1972 and won five seats.

However, in the 1977 polls, the party could not win a single seat.

Following the Pulwama terror attack in February 2019, the government banned the organisation, which was recently extended for another five years.

Aijaz Ahmad Mir, whose candidacy is also supported by the ex-Jamaat leaders, said that if elected, he would work for the betterment of the people.

“We will talk about Kashmir and Kashmiris and truly represent their aspirations,” Mir said addressing the gathering.