2024-09-11 02:21:35
Srinagar : Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru’s brother Aijaz Ahmad Guru has announced to contest the elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He will contest as an independent candidate from Sopore constituency. Aijaz said that his son’s arrest is a major reason for him to enter the electoral fray. His son Shoaib Aijaz Guru was arrested in December 2023 by Baramulla police under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PIT-NDPS Act) on charges of drug trafficking and is lodged in Kot-Bhalwal jail in Jammu.
Ejaz, who works as a contractor, alleged that a conspiracy was hatched against his son. He vowed to fight for those arrested under suspicious circumstances.
Ejaz will work on these issues
Aijaz claimed that Sopore was neglected by previous leaders. He said he was committed to addressing long-standing local issues such as employment, infrastructure development and rehabilitation of youth. He will file his nomination papers on Thursday.
Brother, we will not ask for votes in the name of Afzal Guru
However, he clarified that he will not take the name of his brother Afzal Guru in his election campaign. He said, ‘I will not seek votes in the name of my brother. My ideology is completely different and I believe that the people of Kashmir, especially the people of Sopore, have been betrayed by political leaders.’
PhD scholars are also in the field
Adding to the woes of mainstream parties, a PhD scholar has also entered the electoral fray from Sopore. Firoz Khurshid, an Islamic scholar with a PhD degree in English, said there was a “complete leadership vacuum” in Kashmir and that he had never seen “our so-called leaders raise people’s grievances in the assembly.”
Rejected the ticket offer?
Feroz said educated persons were facing challenges due to the failures of the previous political leadership. “Many PhD holders have been forced to take up menial jobs,” he said. He claimed several political parties had offered him tickets but he refused due to his “history of deceiving people”.
Who is contesting in Sopore?
Feroze said that people need leaders who really fight for their welfare. In Sopore, a friendly contest is going on between Congress and National Conference. Congress has fielded Haji Abdul Rashid Dar, who has represented this seat thrice before. Irshad Kar is the candidate of National Conference.