Kashmir Assembly Elections: Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party and Jamaat-e-Islami Suffer Major Rejection by Voters
Electoral Shift in Kashmir: Separatist Candidates Fail to Make a Mark in Assembly Polls
SRINAGAR, Oct 8: The recent assembly election results in the Kashmir Valley have underscored a significant electoral shift, marked by a notable rejection of separatist candidates, particularly those affiliated with Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). These parties, which have historically positioned themselves as voices for separatist sentiments, failed to achieve any meaningful impact in the polls, indicating a decisive verdict from the electorate.
Among the few candidates associated with the Jamaat-e-Islami, Sayar Ahmed Reshi emerged as a standout figure, managing to secure a notable presence as a proxy candidate from Kulgam. However, his performance was the exception rather than the rule. Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, the brother of Engineer Rashid, contested from Langate but was unable to turn the tide for the AIP. The overall performance of candidates linked to these parties was dismal, with many failing to secure even a fraction of the votes needed to retain their electoral deposits.
A particularly striking illustration of this trend was the defeat of Aizaj Ahmed Guru, the brother of the infamous Afzal Guru, who garnered a mere 129 votes in the Sopore assembly seat—this figure was alarmingly lower than the 341 votes cast for the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option, further emphasizing the electorate’s discontent.
The Awami Ittehad Party fielded 44 candidates, including prominent figures such as Rashid’s brother and party spokesperson Firdous Baba. However, the results were overwhelmingly negative, with many candidates not only losing but also forfeiting their deposits. Similarly, the Jamaat-e-Islami presented four candidates and lent support to an additional four, but aside from Reshi, none managed to secure any substantial backing.
Despite these discouraging results, Reshi maintained an optimistic perspective, suggesting that their efforts represent the beginning of a long-term process. He acknowledged the limited time available for campaigning, expressing a belief that the party could yet make a meaningful difference in future elections. Talat Majid, another candidate from Jamaat in Pulwama, attributed his electoral loss to insufficient support from the Jamaat’s cadre, hinting that the party’s perceived association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may have negatively influenced their electoral prospects. Majid expressed a desire for the lifting of the Jamaat’s ban to restore the organization’s historic role in community support.
Additionally, Sheikh Ashiq Hussain, a notable businessman and close associate of Engineer Rashid, received only 963 votes—again failing to surpass the NOTA option, which attracted 1,713 votes. He acknowledged the overwhelming backing for the National Conference (NC) and stated, “It’s not just a wave; people have voted decisively for the National Conference. Now we await to see what they deliver in return for their mandate.”
Another significant loss was experienced by Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, known as ‘Azadi Chacha,’ who is currently detained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Wagay faced a substantial defeat against National Conference candidate Omar Abdullah, barely managing to retain his deposit in Beerwah.
Analysts interpret the election outcomes as a clear repudiation of separatist politics in the region, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. The results suggest that the electorate is increasingly favoring mainstream political parties, particularly the National Conference, which may influence the future direction of political discourse and governance in the Valley.
