Jamaat-e-Islami Leader Banned from Participating in 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Polls Promises to Advocate for Our Cause

Mr. Lone, a member of the central committee and former general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islamia, explained to NDTV their participation in the polls, aiming to lift the ban imposed on the organization by the Union Home Ministry. The organization has been unable to participate in elections since 1987 due to this ban. Mr. Lone expressed their surprise at the ban, stating that the organization always operated within the Indian constitution and upheld the law.

The decision to participate in the elections is to raise their voice against the ban, and their candidates are intended to work for the people and address the ban issue on a grassroots level. He emphasized the need for their candidates to work for the people and not act as traditional leaders, to establish credibility and prevent the success of rivals such as the BJP. He also commented on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference’s claims regarding Jamaat’s stance and involvement in the Valley, defending the organization’s position and integrity.

In terms of their electoral strategy, the organization decided to field only four candidates due to financial constraints and the importance of candidates with grassroots support and belief in their ideology. Another former Jamaat leader, Talat Majeed, and Sayar Ahmad Reshi, also shared their perspectives and agendas for the elections, focusing on issues such as Article 370, unemployment, and drug abuse. The assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to be held in three phases from September 18 to October 1, with the counting of votes on October 4.