||Black and White Digital News ||

||Parvinder Singh 16, September ||

Kashmir: Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) have formed a pre-poll alliance in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, posing a direct challenge to the traditionally dominant Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC). The alliance was finalized on September 15, 2024, after a meeting between AIP chief and Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid, and a JeI delegation led by Ghulam Qadir Wani.

Strategic Nature of the Alliance:

While the JeI remains banned and is not contesting the elections directly, it has fielded independent candidates across select constituencies, particularly in south Kashmir. The AIP will support JeI-backed candidates in Kulgam and Pulwama, two key areas that have seen significant political maneuvering. In return, JeI will endorse AIP candidates in other constituencies across the Kashmir Valley. Both parties have agreed to a “friendly contest” in some regions like Langate, Devsar, and Zainapora.

Common Objectives and Unity:

The AIP and JeI leadership stressed that their alliance is grounded in their shared objectives of advancing the political rights and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The leadership of both parties emphasized the need for unity in order to address the ongoing political uncertainty in the region. Their alliance, framed as a “strategic” collaboration, aims to promote a lasting and dignified peace in Kashmir while addressing the evolving political situation both regionally and internationally.

Electoral Impact and Regional Dynamics:

The alliance between AIP and JeI could substantially alter the electoral dynamics in Kashmir, particularly affecting the PDP and NC. The JeI, which has traditionally supported PDP candidates in past elections in south Kashmir, now shifts its weight behind its own candidates as well as those of AIP. This change in allegiance may erode PDP’s and NC’s voter bases in critical areas, making the election more competitive.

This unexpected political alliance reflects a new strategy in the Kashmir Valley’s electoral landscape, potentially reshaping the region’s political future. Both AIP and JeI are positioning themselves to be major players in the upcoming election, with a clear focus on unity and political change. As the election approaches, this coalition could significantly impact the chances of the more established regional parties, which now face increased competition from this new bloc.