Ex-Jamaat leaders file nomination papers from south Kashmir

Pulwama, Aug 27: Two former Jammat-e-Islami members filed their nomination papers from south Kashmir on Tuesday, while the daughter of jailed separatist Sarjan Barkti submitted nomination papers on his behalf.

Talat Majeed, a former Jamaat leader, filed his nomination papers from the Pulwama constituency.

Running as an independent candidate, Majeed said that after careful consideration given a changed political situation, he said that time had come to participate in electoral politics.

Majeed said that both the Jamaat and the Hurriyat had a role to play in the current political climate.

Sayar Ahmad Reshi, another Jamaat leader, filed his nomination papers from Kulgam assembly constituency.

“We will change the future of Kulgam and create such an atmosphere where everyone can live peacefully,” Reshi told reporters after filing his nomination papers.

He appealed to the people to listen to their conscience when deciding whom to vote.

Surga Barkati, daughter of incarcerated Barkati, filed her father’s nomination papers from the Zainpora assembly constituency in Shopian.

She said that her family had suffered a lot over the last few years.

“I hope the entire Kashmir stands by my father,” she told reporters.

A former Jamaat member, who declined to be quoted, said that the organisation would field seven to eight candidates from Kashmir.

“We are also planning to contest from Doda,” he said.

During the Lok Sabha elections, the leaders of the proscribed organisation had expressed their willingness to participate in the electoral process if the government lifted the ban on them.

However, last week, a UAPA tribunal upheld the ban on Jamaat and extended it for another five years.