Former legislator Ishfaq Jabbar who is heading Jammu Kashmir United Movement (JKUM) on Monday announced to support the Apni Party candidate contesting the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.
Jabbar made this announcement during a press conference which was attended by Apni Party’s Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, and Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, who is the party’s candidate for the LS polls in the Srinagar constituency
“We have decided to support the candidate from the Apni Party in the Lok Sabha elections for the Srinagar constituency. This decision was made in the best interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I firmly believe that we must oppose the parties that have greatly harmed the interests of the people of J&K. Therefore, we will ensure that Mohammad Ashraf Mir is elected as a Member of Parliament representing the Srinagar constituency,” he said.
Pertinently, Ishfaq Jabbar is one of the prominent political figures in Ganderbal. Like his late father, Sheikh Jabbar, who served as a minister in Jammu and Kashmir, Ishfaq Jabbar holds vast influence over the people in the district.
Jabbar launched his political party JKUM last year, months after he was expelled from the National Conference’s (NC’s) membership. The former NC legislator from the Ganderbal, Jabbar is the son of Sheikh Abdul Jabbar, one of the founding members of NC who was considered a close confidant of Sheikh Abdullah.
Jabbar today hit out at his former party and also the Peoples Democratic Party.
“The National Conference has now openly come forward to join hands with Shiv Sena. Previously, leaders of both the NC and PDP adamantly stated that they would abstain from participating in elections until Article 370 was reinstated. However, they have suddenly forgotten their pledge and jumped into the poll fray.
These parties have consistently harmed the interests of the people,” he said.
He expressed grave concern over the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that like-minded parties need to come forward to work for the well-being of the people.
“We cannot afford further deaths and destruction in this land. We have already suffered greatly. The future of traditional leaders and their children is secure; they live in London. But we need to think of the vulnerable young population here. Look at the drug menace. We cannot afford to watch this situation as silent spectators. We need to work for the peace and prosperity here, ” Jabbar said.
Apni Party leader Hassan Mir said that he was sure that this support would significantly bolster the party campaign.
“We are not fundamentally against parties like NC and PDP; rather, we oppose their political narrative. Their narrative has widened the gap between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country, thus adversely affecting the interests of our people,” Mir said.
