Srinagar, Sep 15 : In a major political development ahead of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) led by Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, and banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI), which has fielded former members as its candidates in the polls, forged an alliance on Sunday in the Kashmir valley.

A joint meeting between the AIP delegation led by Engineer Rashid and JEI member Ghulam Qadir Wani was held here during which it was decided to forge an alliance, an AIP statement said.

During the meeting it was agreed that AIP would support JEI-backed candidates in Kulgam and Pulwama and JEI will throw its support behind AIP candidates across Kashmir.

In areas where both AIP and JEI have fielded candidates, the alliance has agreed to a “friendly contest,” particularly in constituencies like Langate, Devsar and Zainapora. In other constituencies, mutual support will be extended to ensure a unified approach to the elections, the statement said.

Both parties underscored the importance of unity in resolving the Kashmir issue and promoting a lasting peace in the region.

UNI