J-K polls: "Main aim to raise voice of Kashmiris," Engineer Rashid on his alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami

Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 15 : The main aim of the alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI) "is to raise voice of Kashmiris," said Lok Sabha member and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief Engineer Rashid here on Sunday.
In a significant political development earlier in the day both the parties came together for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
"The main aim of the alliance is to raise the voice of Kashmiris. We will fight to find a solution to the issue of Kashmir...We will support the candidates of Jamaat-e-Islami and they will support our candidates. There will be a friendly contest on some seats," Rashid said.
When asked about National Conference President Farooq Abdullah's remark claiming that Rashid is an ally of the BJP and RSS, the AIP chief said, "They (NC) are scared and I advise him (Farooq Abdullah) not to be scared. Change is coming and change cannot be stopped by making absurd statements."
Abdullah had questioned Engineer Rashid's release from jail just before the assembly election and claimed that Rashid is an ally of the BJP and RSS.
"Why was Engineer Rashid released right before the elections? So that he could divide the Muslims, suppress the voice of Muslims. He is an ally of the BJP and RSS," he said.
Notably, the Union Home Ministry has banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, and in February this year, the ban was further extended for five more years.
Earlier, Awami Ittehad Party announced its alliance with the JEI to "champion the cause of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, a statement by the AIP said.
A joint meeting of the two parties was held on Sunday, which was attended by AIP supremo Engineer Rashid, Chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, among other members. JEI leader Ghulam Qadir Wani and other prominent leaders of the party were also present for the meeting.
"The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI) have come together in a strategic alliance to champion the cause of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. AIP delegation was led by AIP Supremo and Member of Parliament Er Rashid, AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, while the JEI delegation was led by Ghulam Qadir Wani. Prominent JEI members also participated in the discussions," said the statement.
The statement highlighted that both parties emphasised the need to work together in the interest of the people in the region and discussed the seat-sharing alliance for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.
The statement said that AIP would be supporting JEI backed candidates in Kulgam and Pulwama districts, while JEI will be supporting AIP candidates across Kashmir.
Both parties have agreed to a 'friendly contest' in the constituencies of Langate, Devsar and Zainapora, while unified support is to be extended in other constituencies.
Moreover, Congress and the National Conference are also fighting the assembly polls in an alliance. While NC will contest 51 of 90 seats, Congress will fight 32 with the two parties also agreeing to a friendly contest on some seats. A few seats have been left for smaller allies.
These are the first assembly polls to be held in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. There are a total number of 90 Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 7 seats are reserved for SCs and 9 seats are reserved for STs.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to be held in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1. The counting will take place on October 8.