The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leader Engineer Rashid, has announced that he will support the INDIA bloc candidates in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections if they promise to restore Article 370 of the Constitution once they come to power at the Centre.

Rashid, who was recently released on interim bail, stated that he would direct his candidates to pledge their supporters' votes to the INDIA bloc if they assure him of their commitment to reinstating Article 370.

He emphasized that resolving the Kashmir issue is crucial for India to achieve its dream of becoming a global power. He criticized the government's actions on August 5, 2019, and accused them of snatching away the rights of Kashmiris.

Rashid also targeted National Conference and PDP leaders, saying they lacked the courage to fight for the restoration of Article 370. He expressed disappointment over Mehbooba Mufti's statement against him and claimed that Farooq Abdullah was aware of the Centre's plans to revoke Article 370 in advance.

The AIP leader denied that his Lok Sabha election win was due to sympathy votes, instead attributing it to his work on human rights and development. He also alleged that he was pressured to support a BJP proxy candidate in the Lok Sabha polls and was denied basic facilities in jail for refusing to do so.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) has unveiled its manifesto, outlining its vision for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, resolution of the Kashmir issue, and empowerment of its people.

The manifesto commits to fighting for the restoration of Article 370, Article 35-A, and statehood, and supporting all efforts to restore the pre-2019 constitutional position of J&K. It also promises to probe the 1987 election rigging and its aftermath, end the blacklisting of Kashmiris for jobs, passports, and contracts, and provide rehabilitation for conflict victims.

The JKPC manifesto, as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust, also vows to scrap draconian laws, release political prisoners, protect human rights, and de-criminalize dissent. It promises to restore the July 13 Martyrs' Day holiday, ensure the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits, and reintegrate former militants into society.

In addition, the manifesto outlines plans for economic empowerment, including providing free electricity to BPL families, regularizing daily wagers, enhancing the honorarium for contractual lecturers, and reviving human rights commissions. It also promises to promote public-private partnerships, improve infrastructure, and harness hydroelectric potential.

The JKPC has also outlined sector-specific plans, including measures to support farmers, promote tourism, and empower women. The manifesto promises to make the fruit industry a Rs 25000 crore industry, establish a dry port linking Sopore Fruit Mandi with other Mandis, and introduce a goods train and railway platform at Sopore.

Key highlights

• Restoration of Article 370, Article 35-A, and statehood
• Resolution of the Kashmir issue through engagement with all stakeholders
• Probe into the 1987 election rigging and its aftermath
• End to blacklisting of Kashmiris for jobs, passports, and contracts
• Rehabilitation policy for conflict victims
• Scrapping of draconian laws and release of political prisoners
• Protection of human rights and de-criminalization of dissent
• Restoration of July 13 Martyrs' Day holiday
• Return of Kashmiri Pandits and re-integration of former militants
• Empowerment of marginalized sections, including women, youth, and farmers

SRINAGAR — With the announcement of the long-awaited Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the region's political turf is rapidly evolving as major parties gear up for the first polls since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The elections, slated to be held in three phases starting September 18, have stirred intense political activity in the Union Territory.

The PDP, led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, is holding a key meeting today to finalize its candidates for the Assembly polls. Speculation is rife that Iltija Mufti, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, is likely to be fielded from the politically significant Anantnag constituency in South Kashmir. Iltija's entry into the electoral fray could signal a strategic shift within the PDP as it seeks to reclaim its political stronghold in the region.

The Election Commission's announcement of the three-phased elections has been met with broad approval across the political spectrum. Leaders from various parties have welcomed the move, viewing it as a vital step towards restoring democratic governance in the Union Territory, which has been under Central rule for six years. The polling dates are set for September 18, 25, and October 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 4.

However, the lead-up to the elections has not been without controversy. A significant reshuffle within the Jammu and Kashmir Police as well as the bureaucracy, announced on Friday, has raised concerns among some political figures about the impartiality of the upcoming elections. The reshuffle, which included the appointment of senior IPS officer Nalin Prabhat as the new Special Director General of Police, replacing R R Swain upon his retirement, has prompted criticism from PDP leaders.

Iltija Mufti, speaking to reporters, expressed apprehension about the fairness of the electoral process. "Our concern is that elections should be conducted free, fair, and transparent," she stated, pointing to the abrupt and extensive transfers within the police force just before the election announcement. She accused the Lieutenant Governor's administration of bias and favouritism towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which she claimed could undermine the integrity of the election.

Adding to the political flux, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, a prominent former PDP leader and ex-cabinet minister in the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government, joined the BJP on Sunday. His defection marks a significant shift in the UT's political alignments, particularly as the BJP seeks to consolidate its influence in the run-up to the Assembly polls.

Ali, who had previously won from the Darhal constituency in Rajouri district in the 2008 and 2014 elections on a PDP ticket, was also a founding member of the Apni Party, which was formed in 2020 by disgruntled PDP members.

The upcoming elections are set to be a litmus test for the PDP as it tries to tackle internal challenges as well as external pressures in a bid to regain its foothold in Jammu and Kashmir. With Mehbooba Mufti at the helm and Iltija Mufti poised to potentially enter the electoral arena, the PDP's strategy in this high-stakes political contest will be closely watched by observers and constituents alike.

SRINAGAR — The Amarnath Yatra for pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir was temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure on the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, officials said. This decision halted any new batches from travelling from Jammu to Kashmir for the day.

So far this year, over 490,000 pilgrims have visited the Amarnath cave shrine, situated at an elevation of 3,880 meters. The suspension was part of heightened security measures in the city in light of the anniversary.

On August 5, 2019, Home Minister Amit Shah announced the abrogation of Article 370, ending the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. This led to the creation of two Union Territories, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and the withdrawal of the State’s special status.

The Yatra, which began on June 29, is set to run for 52 days and conclude on August 19.