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Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
After Jamaat-e-Islami ex-chiefs distance themselves from his new alliance, Sajad Lone lashes out — ‘Know who's behind it'
A day after former Jamaat-e-Islami chiefs distanced themselves from the Justice and Development Front (JDF), Sajad Lone, whose Peoples Conference is part of the new alliance, said 'he knew' who was behind the statements. At a press conference in Srinagar, Lone, whose party joined hands with the Justice and Development Front and the People's Democratic Front to form the new alliance, also accused the government of withdrawing security of former minister and People's Democratic Front (PDF) chief Hakeem Yasin and Peoples Conference leader Sheikh Imran Sheikh Imran saying that the issue of 'security is being politicised'. The alliance for a political 'alternative' was announced last week by Lone, JDF president Shamim Ahmad Thoker and Yasin. While the JDF claims to be the political wing of the Jamaat, three former chiefs of the Islamic outfit distanced themselves saying it does not support any party, front or alliance. 'We knew, whenever there is an alliance or a political activity, there would be some parties, individuals or institutions who perhaps will not like it,' Lone, flanked by Sheikh, said at a press conference. The other constituents of the alliance, however, were not present at the press conference. He then went on to say: 'The first statement came from Ghulam Mohammad Safi sahib, who has been living across (the border) for the last 30 years. He is the convenor of Hurriyat chapter there. It (statement) had a language that is common to them. Then there was a statement from Naseeb ud Sahib, who lives there. There was a statement from Ghulam Mohammad Bhat sahib, who is a senior leader. I had met him before (this alliance). I respect him because he was a very courageous man, even today. Then a statement came from Abdullah Wani sahib. There was a threat from a militant outfit from Pakistan'. The government has withdrawn security of its leaders despite the 'threatening statements', he said. 'Our leader, Hakim Mohammad Yasin, who has been an ex-minister and survived an attack in early 90's, 80 percent of his security was withdrawn. And our young leader (Sheikh Imran), his security was also withdrawn,' Lone said. 'I am not saying this because I beg for the security but I want to put it in the public domain that how even the security is being politicised'. Lone said that he saw the withdrawal of security as a 'snap reaction'. 'Security is the prerogative of the government and it is their decision. We have no regrets but I see it as a snap reaction. It has come just three days after we announced the alliance, we relate it to that. Yasin sahib's security was withdrawn after 21 years and Imran's security was there since 2009. If you want to withdraw my security also, you are welcome,' he said. Without naming Jamaat-e-Islami, Lone said they have 'allied with the Justice and Development Front, which had past association with some party'. He then hinted that a Kashmiri party 'that has been in power for 20 years' was behind the remarks. Although he did not name the party, he appeared to be referring to the PDP. 'Here, a Kashmiri party whose entire foundation is based on that party (Jamaat), they have been in power for 20 years. They are not ashamed that despite being in power for so long, they don't have a vote bank,' Lone said. 'They are arrogant. (They think) those they have exploited for votes, how could they muster courage to fight the elections and sit in the assembly with them. This is a cruel feeling and the height of arrogance,' he said. Lone said this wouldn't stop the alliance and they would move forward. 'We know who is firing the gun from behind the backs, we know which uncle is behind this. Inshallah, we will move forward,' Lone said. 'We met today morning. All three constituents, we think that the decision we have made is good. The reactions are the biggest proof that Thank God, we are on the right track.' Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. ... Read More
News18
30-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Sajad Lone's Party Joins Hands With PDF, JDF To Launch New Political Front In J&K
Last Updated: Leaders of three parties formed a new political front, "People's Alliance for Change," in Jammu and Kashmir to address "leadership and accountability" issues. Almost eight months after the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, leaders of the Peoples Conference (PC), Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Justice and Development Front joined hands to float a new political front called the 'People's Alliance for Change". The announcement came on Monday at a press conference here by PC chief Sajad Gani Lone, PDF leaders, and leaders of the Justice and Development Front. The leaders said that the new alliance will work together for the democratic rights of the people. The organisational structure would be collectively announced by the constituent parties soon, they said. The alliance, according to members, aims to provide an alternative political vision in the Union Territory and address what they termed the 'crisis of leadership and accountability" in J&K. Lone said the new alliance offers a viable alternative to the people, as they have endured immense suffering. 'We are committed to driving change. The current political landscape is barren, and our alliance offers a viable alternative," he added. Senior Shia Muslim leader and prominent leader of the PC, Imran Raza Ansari, was also present during the announcement. Shamim Ahmad Thokar, President of the Justice and Development Front, a political party informally established by a Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI)-affiliated candidate, said, 'We cannot succeed alone. To serve the people effectively, we must unite. Our party will join this alternative alliance." All three parties were wiped out in the elections, which were held for the first time since the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two union territories. National Conference-Congress alliance emerged victorious, winning 48 seats (NC-42 and Congress 6) in the 90-member assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bagged 29 seats while former CM Mehbooba Mufti's People's Democratic Party (PDP) could win only three seats. Among the three parties in this new alliance, only Sajad Gani Lone could win the legislative Assembly elections in 2024 from the Handwara Assembly constituency in Kupwara district. Imran Raza Ansari also fought the election from Pattan Assembly constituency in Baramulla district, but was defeated by Riyaz Ahmad Bedar of the National Conference by a narrow margin of less than 300 votes. Hakeem Yasin of the PDF fought the Assembly elections from the Khansahib constituency, but was defeated for the first time by the National Conference candidate. Leaders of the Jamaat backed the Justice and Development Front fought on some seats in the South Kashmir districts. In the Kulgam Assembly constituency, once believed to be the political stronghold of the Jamaat, its backed candidate was defeated by CPI(M)'s Yusuf Tarigama. First Published: June 30, 2025, 16:41 IST
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
JDF condemns Pahalgam terror attack, calls it crime against humanity
The Justice and Development Front (JDF), a political party informally established by Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI)-affiliated candidates in February, condemned the Pahalgam terror attack on Sunday saying killing innocents was a crime against humanity. The party said that within the parameters of justice, they stand with the nation in any action following the attack. Addressing a press conference, the party said that they join the nation in sorrow after the attack that killed 26 civilians, most of them tourists, in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam on April 22. President of JDF Shamim Ahmad Thokar said that they had scheduled a convention for the formal launch of the party on April 29 at SKICC but owing to the Pahalgam attack and the national mourning, the programme was cancelled. 'JDF condemns the heinous murders in Pahalgam. Tyranny against innocents is a crime against humanity, which is unacceptable,' he said. 'We will be standing with the nation on whatever action is taken, keeping in mind the parameters of justice,' he said. Jamaat, a politico-religious organisation which was banned by the central government in 2019 for their alleged links to militant outfits, had fielded some 10 candidates as independents in the elections last year in September-October including the prominent Sayyar Ahmad Reshi and Talat Majid in South Kashmir with no success on any seat. During the militancy which erupted in 1989, separatists and Jamaat would boycott elections and hold rallies against voting in J&K. In February, Thokar and Reshi and other members had announced the formation of the party at a convention in South Kashmir to give an 'informal introduction of JDF'. At the press conference, Thokar said that they are formally starting political activities from now on. 'We are starting our political activities from today. And our workers and members across Kashmir, we will be organising conventions and other political activities in the field,' he said. The party also launched its flag and party logo- 'scales of justice'. The participation of the JeI-backed candidates in assembly elections marked the organisation's return to electoral politics after 37 years. The party condemned the targeting of Kashmiri students outside the union territory.
