The banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a politico-religious organisation in Kashmir, is making a political comeback by launching a new party, the Justice and Development Front (JDF).
The JDF is preparing to participate in the panchayat and municipal elections in April and May.
Sayed Ahmed Reshi, among the 10 JeI-backed candidates who contested last year’s assembly elections, told THE WEEK that the formal launch ceremony of JDF will be held in Srinagar soon.
Reshi, who contested from Kulgam, lost to CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami but managed to secure an impressive 26,000 votes.
“We will be participating in the upcoming panchayat and municipal polls,” said Reshi. “We will work for the people of Kashmir and resolve their issues democratically.”
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He said the JDF will field candidates who enjoy credibility.
“It is not necessary that they should be ideologically linked to JeI.” He stressed the party’s focus would be on youth involvement and added they would seek public support to strengthen their presence.
Before the militancy erupted in the 1990s, the JeI participated in elections but never won a significant mandate. However, a few of its candidates were elected from various parts of Kashmir, particularly Sopore in Baramulla.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the former separatist leader, won three elections as a JeI candidate from Sopore before militancy took hold.
After the 1990s, security forces accused JeI of patronising Kashmir’s largest militant group, Hizbul Mujahideen.
While JeI largely boycotted elections, many of its members were seen as supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
During last year’s assembly elections, JeI-linked candidates contested as Independents, amid allegations of being sponsored by the BJP to fracture the mandate in Kashmir.
Political observers believe the formation of JDF could weaken the PDP, as the party has historically benefited from JeI’s support since its formation in the late 1990s.
With local body elections approaching, the emergence of JDF could reshape Kashmir’s political landscape, particularly in south Kashmir, where JeI has traditionally had a strong support base.