J&K's Jama'at-e-Islami candidates launch party, to contest local body polls

Srinagar: A Jama’at-e-Islami panel backed candidates who unsuccessfully contested the last assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir have floated a political party and are preparing to fight the upcoming panchayat and urban local body elections in the union territory.

The party, named Justice and Development Front, held its first programme in Chawalgam area of Kulgam recently where its leaders said the party has secured registration from the Election Commission and has been allotted ‘scale’ as the symbol. They said the party will soon organise a “mega” function in Srinagar.

The authorities in J&K have started preparations for the panchayat elections with the state poll body initiating the process for procurement of necessary election equipment.


“JDF wants a system based on fear of Allah. Politics is a prayer for us. Our struggle will be peaceful, democratic and constitutional. We can't see the destruction of our society,” party leader Sayyar Reshi said addressing the gathering.

He said the party wants long lasting and positive change on ground. “Revolutions have to be sustainable and long lasting. The revolutions that come in haste also go in haste,” said Reshi, who lost his maiden assembly election from Kulgam but managed to secure 25,639 votes.

A select panel of banned JeI supported some of the independents including Reshi in the last assembly elections in J&K. However, none of these candidates won. Now, months after the assembly elections, these candidates have launched a political party claiming that they will have the sympathy and support of the JeI, which is banned since 2019.

Over the past few years, the government has seized JeI's assets worth hundreds of crores of rupees. Earlier this month, the authorities seized books written by JeI ideologue Syed Abul Ala Maududi from shopkeepers in Srinagar and northern Kashmir. As per the JeI constitution, none of its core members—known as Rukn—can be members of any other party.

“We will participate in all the upcoming elections and we will have sympathy and support of the JeI. We are starting a district-wise movement and informing people how we will work on the grassroots level to gather support,” said Shamin Thokar of JDF.

Thokar also said the party will support the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government in its genuine efforts to strive for rights of the people.