NC parliamentarians failed to take up case of banned Jama’at in Parliament: Panel Secretary

Srinagar, Sep 26: Banned Jama’at-e-Islami J&K Panel Secretary Ghulam Qadir Lone on Thursday said that National Conference Parliamentarians have failed to take up their case in the Parliament, forcing them to support independent candidates in the ongoing Assembly elections of J&K to ensure the voice of hapless would be heard in power corridors of the country.

Lone, who was speaking to a gathering at Dak Bungalow Baramulla, criticized National Conference (NC) parliamentarians for not raising the case of banned Jama’at in the house. “Though MP from north Kashmir’s Baramulla Er Rashid was in jail, the rest two MPs of Kashmir division who belong to NC failed to take up our case in the Parliament. Though they represented Kashmir there very well, but they didn’t talk about why Jama’at is banned,” Lone said.

“We were expecting they (NC Parliamentarians) will take up our case there on our behalf, but they did not speak. We felt they are not representing us. This situation compelled us to take part in J&K polls and lend support to independents to ensure our voice will be heard in power corridors,” he said.

Lone, along with other 7 members who represent themselves as panel – meant for look after post-ban affairs of Jama’at-e-Islami J&K, have decided to take part in the ongoing electoral exercise in J&K. However many believe there is strong disagreement over the decision within the party.

Lone continued that panel has decided to take part in elections after assurance given by New Delhi.

“New Delhi asked us to participate in elections. We replied them that elections are nothing new for us. Jama’at as an organization had fought elections in 1969, 1970, 1972, 1977, 1982 and 1987, but the irregularities happened in 1987 polls disappointed our cadre and it was decided to distance away from poll practices in future. But New Delhi recently assured that future elections would be held in a free and fair manner. We believe recently held Lok Sabha polls were conducted in a free manner for which we extend our congratulations to ECI,” Lone said.

In his address, he appealed intelligence agencies to note down the reality upon which we stand, and not that for which they have already made their mind.

He said we were mulling to contest elections on almost 50 seats but it couldn’t happen due to ban on the organization.

“Our residences were raided thoroughly, but nothing was recovered from there. No weapon or incriminating material was seized from our possession. All complaints against us proved false. So what we are, that should be noted down,” he said.