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Jammu and Kashmir Awami Ittehad Party

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Jammu and Kashmir Awami Ittehad Party
AbbreviationAIP
LeaderEngineer Rashid
ChairmanMohammad Yousuf Bhat
FounderEngineer Rashid
Founded2013
HeadquartersSrinagar
IdeologyKashmiriyat
ECI Statusnot granted
AlliancePeople's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration
Seats in Lok Sabha
1 / 543
Seats in Rajya Sabha
0 / 245
Seats in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly
0 / 90
Seats in District Development Council
3 / 280
Website
awamiithadpartyjk.com

The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) is a regional political party in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Founded by Engineer Rashid in 2013, it announced candidates for the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election.[1][2][3]

History

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Foundation

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The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) was founded in 2013 by Sheikh Abdul Rashid, commonly referred to as Engineer Rashid, who had previously been an independent member of the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir representing the Langate constituency.[4] Rashid had gained prominence for his views on the Kashmir conflict and his advocacy for peaceful resolutions to the region's political disputes. AIP was established as an alternative to both the mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, such as the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), as well as separatist factions.[5]

Political activities

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2024 Baramulla Lok Sabha election

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In the 2024 Indian general elections, AIP's leader, Engineer Rashid, contested the Baramulla parliamentary seat from prison. Rashid had been in detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and was later arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019 on charges related to terror funding.[6] Despite his ongoing legal troubles and his inability to actively campaign, Rashid achieved victory, securing the seat with high margin.[7]

His win from Baramulla was seen as a major political upset and was largely attributed to his persistent advocacy for the rights of Kashmiris and his stance on sensitive regional issues, including the demand for a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir. The victory also highlighted the discontent among voters with mainstream political parties.[8]

Engineer Rashid's victory in the Baramulla constituency has been viewed as part of a broader shift in Kashmiri politics, where non-mainstream political parties, such as AIP, have managed to gain ground amid growing disillusionment with the traditional political establishment.[9]

Role in the Gupkar Declaration

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In October 2020, AIP became part of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD),[10] a coalition aimed at restoring the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, which had been revoked following the abrogation of Article 370. This alliance opposes the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories and seeks to restore its autonomy.[11] But after being released, Rasheed said that the PAGD people didn't consider it necessary to include us in this organisation .

2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections

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For the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) announced its list of candidates.[12]

In August 2024, the party revealed its first list of nine candidates contesting various constituencies, with an emphasis on candidates who have been actively involved in socio-political issues in their respective areas.[13]

AIP and Former Jamaat Members Unite for 2024 Assembly Polls

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In a political development, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) led by Engineer Rashid has formed an alliance with former members of the Jamaat-e-Islami for the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election.[14]

As part of the agreement, AIP agreed to support JEI-backed candidates in the Kulgam and Pulwama constituencies, while JEI reciprocated by backing AIP candidates across Kashmir. In certain constituencies where both parties had fielded candidates, such as Langate, Devsar, and Zainapora, a "friendly contest" was agreed upon to avoid friction.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Gilani, Iftikhar (2024-06-22). "Kashmir Elections 2024: Engineer Rashid's Surprising Win Signals Political Shift". Frontline. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  2. ^ "AIP announces maiden list of nine candidates for assembly elections". Greater Kashmir. 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  3. ^ RAHEEM, TARIQUE (2024-09-11). "AIP's Firdous Baba files nomination papers for Kupwara". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  4. ^ "Langate Assembly Election 2024: Constituency profile, past winners, margin, party-wise candidates". www.indiatvnews.com. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  5. ^ "'Coming To Unite, Not To Divide': Er Rashid Out On Bail For 22 Days For J&K Elections". Outlook India. 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  6. ^ Gilani, Iftikhar (2024-06-22). "Kashmir Elections 2024: Engineer Rashid's Surprising Win Signals Political Shift". Frontline. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  7. ^ Mir, Rehan Qayoom (2024-07-11). "An Electoral Stunner! How Engineer Rashid Suddenly Won From Prison". Fair Observer. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  8. ^ Ali, Rifat Fareed,Arbab. "'Vote against jail': How two Modi critics won India election from prison". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-09-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Assembly polls: Er. Rashid's AIP makes political forces restive in Kashmir — The Kashmir Monitor". 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  10. ^ ""Awami Ittihad Party Joins Gupkar Declaration Alliance" – The Wire, 2020".
  11. ^ "Gupkar Declaration: Latest News, Photos, Videos on Gupkar Declaration". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  12. ^ Saharan, Shiv Bhagwan; Nazir, Liyaqat (2024-07-19). "Who Is Engineer Rashid, One of Kashmir's New MPs?". The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  13. ^ PTI (2024-09-12). "Engineer Rashid claims equidistant from BJP, INDIA bloc; says will contest 35-40 seats in J-K polls". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  14. ^ "Engineer Rashid's AIP and former Jamaat members join hands for J&K Assembly polls". Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  15. ^ "Er Rashid's AIP and Jamaat-e-Islami form alliance for Jammu and Kashmir elections". Muslim Mirror. 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
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