Party to launch membership drive, to field candidates from across UT
Srinagar, June 8: The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), led by the recently elected Baramulla MP Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh, is making an ambitious bid to establish itself as a formidable political alternative in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the crucial assembly elections slated for the next few months.While preparations are underway for the high-stakes polls, AIP leaders held a press conference today outlining the party’s roadmap. They announced plans to launch a massive membership drive across J&K to broaden the party’s base and emerge as a viable option for the electorate.
“We could not field candidates from the other two Lok Sabha constituencies as we were uncertain whether the nomination papers of our jailed leader would be accepted,” said AIP spokesperson Firdous Ahmad. “However, the people’s resounding faith in Er. Rashid’s Baramulla victory indicates we could have performed strongly in those seats as well.”
He further added that AIP led by Er Rashid was being underestimated by the existing parties, but as the people threw their mandate, they cannot ignore it (AIP) now.
“We have a party and we have a moral binding that we should go to the people, we will start a membership drive. As a spokesperson, I appeal to all the people to connect with us and remove the bad name of politics from the ground. AIP is giving the common masses a platform to join us. The doors are always open for the like-minded people and parties,” he said.
About the voter turnout, he said that it was a sympathy vote in favour of Er Rashid, but at the same time, it was in favour of Er Rashid’s commitment and work as well.
“As we have won this election, we have applied for the interim bail for the Oath ceremony. Court has been very liberal to us and we have been asked that if need arises, the additional application will be considered during the vacations. I hope he will be released for the Oath ceremony as well as getting a chance to serve the people,” he added.
The AIP spokesman said that the leader should get a chance to speak to the people for which they have moved an application and a video message will be received soon, which will be made public.
“We have seen no leader in the past has been stopped from taking the oath while remaining behind the bars,” he said, adding that they are thankful to EC and administration for transparent elections, saying that they are satisfied with the results.
“AIP is coming up as an alternative to the people and in the upcoming polls. I believe we will have a major part in the upcoming elections,” he said.
While replying to a query, he said that the party’s priority at present is to ensure that the leader gets bail to take Oath, following which the next priority will be to ensure his release from jail as the mandate given by the people cannot be ignored.
“The decision about allying with the NDA or INDI Alliance will be taken by Er Rashid himself,” he said.
