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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
People's Alliance for Change launched in Kashmir to speak same language in Srinagar, Jammu and Delhi
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Srinagar: Three Kashmir-based political parties -- Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC), People's Democratic Front (PDF) and the recently formed Justice and Development Front (JDF) -- on Monday announced the formation of People's Alliance for Change (PAC).Describing the PAC as an alternative platform representing the oppressed people of the region, they said it will strive for restoration of statehood, Article 370 and 35 (A) with justice and president Sajad Gani Lone announced the formation of the PAC at his official residence in the presence of PDF president Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, JDF president Shamim Ahmad Thokar and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil. The JDF was formed by select members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami who also unsuccessfully fought the recent assembly election in J&K.'We have experienced pain and not inflicted it. This alliance addresses the barrenness of the political landscape of J&K and provides an alternative electoral platform to the people,' Lone said at a presser in Srinagar. The leaders signed a joint 'declaration of change' which they said would be the roadmap for the JKPC chief said there had been no closure to the decades of pain 'because those who inflicted it still rule'. 'That must end. The real victims must now represent the pain they carry,' he PAC called for general amnesty for political prisoners and conflict-affected youths, the reintegration of the marginalised and an end to exclusionary politics.'Up to 90 percent of new government job appointments have gone to the Jammu region as the reservation is systematically biased against Kashmiris and traditional political parties are enabling injustice through inaction,' Lone also targeted chief minister Omar Abdullah, referring to him as the 'BJP's chief minister' who often goes to pay 'deferential respects' and gift Kashmiri shawls to BJP urged the central government to give 'compassion and magnanimity' a chance and to give up the policy of 'vindictiveness'.JDF president Thokar said that despite ideological differences among its constituents, the PAC shares a vision, value and goal. 'Those who have inflicted pain cannot claim to represent us. We realised we cannot move ahead alone. We invite all like-minded parties to join this platform,' he said. 'Pain is not a commodity to be traded in the marketplace; it is something one must live through to truly comprehend.'PDF chairman Yaseen asserted that the PAC stands firmly on the foundation of transparency and an unwavering commitment to restoring the dignity of the people.'Our resolve is clear: we will not indulge in double-speak, saying one thing in Kashmir, another in Jammu and something entirely different in New Delhi. This alliance is built on a unified, people-centric agenda, crafted through consensus and aimed particularly at the vast majority who have borne the brunt of decades of suffering. That chapter of pain must end — and it will,' he general secretary Molvi Imran Reza Ansari said that the alliance is rooted in justice and equality which, he said, have become essential in the present times. 'Today, the rights of the people are being obliterated. Had the present government — and those before it — been truly committed to public welfare and sincerely addressed the grievances and aspirations of the people, there would have been no need for the formation of this alliance,' he said, adding that 'whosoever speaks the truth here is jailed'.Meanwhile, the ruling National Conference and opposition BJP hit out at the PAC. The NC labelled it as the BJP's proxy while the BJP subbed it for demanding restoration of Article 370 and befooling NC legislator Tanvir Sadiq in an oblique reference to the PAC wrote, "Look who's back, the BJP's loyal 'B-Team,' freshly repackaged as an alternative. Rejected by the people, resurrected by remote. When ideology fails, desperation unites." Sadiq further wrote on X, "Let's just call them Party B Pro Max, Now with Extra Obedience."The BJP's general secretary in J&K, Ashok Koul, said that demanding restoration of Article 370 is day dreaming. "They are misleading people. No power can restore Article 370," Koul told reporters here.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
PC, JDF, PDF band together, say will strive for change in Kashmir
In an interesting political development in Kashmir, a new political amalgam — People's Alliance for Change (PAC) —which aims to provide an alternative against the 'elite political ruling minority' while also fighting for the restoration of Article 370 and statehood, was announced on Monday. JKPC chief Sajad Lone along with PDF president Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, Jamaat-e-Islami-backed JDF's chief Shamim Ahmad Thokar during a press conference in Srinagar on Monday. (PTI) The alliance was announced by People's Conference(PC) led by Sajad Lone, Jamaat-e-Islami affiliated Justice and Development Front (JDF), which fought recent assembly elections, and People's Democratic Front (PDF) led by Hakeem Yaseen. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Sajad Lone said that the decision to form the alliance came after months of consultations. 'The alliance is a platform which will work for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This platform is the one in which everybody has suffered - pain and sorrow. We have not inflicted pain. And this platform will bring change in the barren political landscape,' he said. He said that they are providing people an alternative against those who inflicted the pain here. 'The people suffered in these 30 years, went to jails, many are in graveyards while many suffered interrogations. While the other group who are at the forefront in inflicting these sufferings. And it is also a fact that by and large only these people have been our rulers here,' he said. 'PAC is an alliance of those who have suffered. How would Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah know what is victimhood? They only know how to inflict oppression. This is a people's alliance for change. It is not a third front and everyone can join us,' Lone said. In the recent elections, all the three parties were not able to score anything major except a single seat of Handwara in north Kashmir which was won by Sajad Lone. However, together there are chances of it becoming a formidable group which can be problematic for the traditional parties in the political arithmetic of Kashmir. PC won the Sajad Lone's Handwara seat in 2024 assembly elections while also lost four seats by narrow margins in north Kashmir. Lone has been previously a separatist leader who joined mainstream politics when he fought parliamentary elections in 2009. Justice and Development Front (JDF) was launched by Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) affiliated candidates early this year after the central government imposed a five-year ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, in 2019, citing the outfit's alleged ties with militant groups. Last year, some 10 such candidates participated in the elections as Independents, including the prominent Sayyar Ahmad Reshi and Talat Majid in south Kashmir with no success on any seat, though Reshi managed to gather a formidable vote percentage in south Kashmir. People's Democratic Front (PDF) led by Hakeem Yaseen has a good following in Khansahib area of central Kashmir, though he lost the elections in 2024 after being its MLA for three consecutive terms. JDF president Shamim Ahmad Thokar said that they formed the alliance knowing well that individually they won't be able to bring any change. 'We understood that we can't do much individually. If we want to do something for our people and bring change then we would have to move ahead together. Ideological differences apart, we need a joint platform for working ahead,' he said. He said that Sajad Lone and them had a historical connection. 'Sajad sb's father and our elder leaders held mutual interests. And now we want to work together,' he said. Thokar said that the alternative will attempt for stability in this region which has been 'elusive for the past few decades'. 'Now youth are not comfortable with double speak of leaders. Now the talk in Srinagar and in Delhi will be the same. Only that government will move ahead which indulges in one talk- both in Srinagar and Delhi. We endeavour for political stability and we will strive for that,' he said. In a joint statement, the alliance said that it believes in the 'Restoration of Article 370, Article 35 A and statehood'. 'The alliance will strive and exhaust all political means in pursuit of these objectives,' the PAC said. The amalgam was also aghast over new reservation rules in J&K. 'We believe that one of the biggest tools of disempowerment of the Kashmiris that has emerged, is the system of reservations in J&K. The present system of reservations is a regional issue and systematically discriminates against the people of Kashmir,' it said. 'Upto 90% of jobs go to the Jammu region. Till now the only party to call it a regional issue has been the JKPC. The JDF joins JKPC in calling it a regional issue. This is a wake-up call for the people,' it said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Lone sets up new alliance with Jamaat ‘proxy', speaks of ‘shared pain'
Srinagar: People's Conference MLA Sajad Lone on Monday led two other groups, one of them a suspected proxy of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), to form a new political alliance, pitching it as a movement framed 'around a shared experience of suffering'. The alliance's top goals include restoration of Article 370 and full J&K statehood. T he formation is named Peoples' Alliance for Change (PAC) and includes, besides Lone's Peoples Conference, alleged Jamaat proxy Justice Development Front (JDF) and Peoples' Democratic Front (PDF). None, except Lone's party, has an MLA in J&K, though Jamaat proxies had contested in some seats unsuccessfully in last year's assembly polls. Besides revival of Articles 370 and 35-A 'through democratic and constitutional means', a 'declaration for change' jointly adopted by the three groups sought general amnesty for political prisoners and conflict-affected youth, among other demands. Lone described the alliance as a contest between 'those who have endured pain and those who inflicted it', counting himself among those who have suffered in J&K's three-decade conflict. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The move, Lone said, signals a decisive shift from the 'comfort of an elite political class' towards a people-led movement rooted in justice, accountability, and dignity. 'There are two kinds of political forces in Kashmir. One comprises those who were beaten, jailed, interrogated. Many of them now lie in graveyards. The other includes those who inflicted that suffering. The irony is that, for the last three decades, it's the latter, those who caused the pain, who have governed us,' Lone said. JDF president Shameem Ahmad Thokar echoed the views. 'Those who have been imprisoned, have truly suffered, will now come forward and speak with one voice, whether in Srinagar or Delhi,' Thokar said. The governing National Conference (NC) dismissed the new grouping, calling it an attempt to undermine its govt led by CM Omar Abdullah. An NC spokesperson, Tanvir Sadiq, described the alliance as 'BJP's freshly repackaged B-team' that had been rejected by people in the past and would be shunned in the future. Jamaat proxies had entered the fray as independents in Kulgam, Devsar, Pulwama, and Bandipora in last year's assembly polls but drew a blank. In Kulgam, though, a Jamaat proxy, Sayar Ahmad Reshi, had given CPM's Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami a tough fight, losing by 7,800 votes. Hakeem Yaseen, chairman of PDF in the new formation, had lost in Budgam.
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
New Political Alliance ‘People's Alliance For Change' Emerges In Jammu And Kashmir
A new political alliance called the People's Alliance for Change (PAC) was announced in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of the region. The alliance comprises Sajjad Lone-led Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC), Justice and Development Front (JDF) backed by former members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, and Hakeem Yasin-led People's Democratic Front (PDF). The PAC was formally announced during a press conference in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday. JDF Chairman Shamim Ahmad Thokar, along with JKPC leader Sajjad Lone, announced the formation of the alliance, stressing on unity to address the political and developmental concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. PDF Chairman Hakeem Mohammad Yasin was also present at the announcement of the alliance. The alliance partners have named it the People's Alliance for Change (PAC), whose stated mission is to bring transformational change to the region, focusing on the welfare of its people who have faced significant challenges. The PAC brings together three primary political entities, each with distinct backgrounds and regional influences. The Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC) is led by Sajad Lone, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference. The JKPC has historical roots in separatism but has moved towards mainstream politics in recent years by allying with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It won two seats in the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election and one seat in the 2024 elections. The party was also part of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) from 2020 to 2021. Sajad Lone emphasized the alliance's commitment to alleviate the suffering of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, building on the legacy of his father's relationship with Jamaat-e-Islami. The Justice and Development Front (JDF) is led by former Jamaat-e-Islami member Shamim Ahmed Thokar. The JDF was launched in March 2025 by former members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, marking the group's return to electoral politics after decades of boycotting elections. The JDF aims to contest the upcoming panchayat and municipal elections, with a focus on grassroots issues such as education, health and social reform. The inclusion of the JDF in the PAC is notable, as the Jamaat-e-Islami was banned by the Indian government in 2019 for alleged anti-national activities. The formation and participation of the JDF in the alliance signals a strategic shift towards engaging in democratic processes. Emphasizing that 'unity is essential to effectively serve the people,' Thokar highlighted JDF's commitment to collaborative politics for regional development. The People's Democratic Front (PDF) is led by Hakeem Yasin, a veteran politician from Jammu and Kashmir. The PDF is a small regional party with a focus on local governance and development issues. Hakeem Yasin has been a consistent political figure in the region, often aligning with various alliances to expand his party's influence. The inclusion of the PDF has strengthened the alliance's regional reach, especially in Budgam areas where Yasin has good influence. The PAC said the alliance aims to tackle the 'immense suffering' of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on political, social, and developmental issues. 'We will provide a coherent platform to address the concerns of the region, ensuring a coherent political message,' he said. He said the alliance is a movement for transformational change, challenging the status quo and existing power structures in Jammu and Kashmir. The formation of the PAC is aligned with the preparations for the upcoming panchayat and municipal elections, indicating a focus on strengthening influence at the local level. This alliance is a new challenge for the NC, PDP, and BJP. Its formation can also challenge the NC-Congress alliance and will provide an alternative to voters disillusioned with traditional parties. The alliance will face tough competition from the NC-Congress alliance, BJP and PDP. The success of the PAC will depend on its ability to maintain unity, articulate a clear agenda and push the central government's oversight over Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory. Jammu Kashmir has previously seen an alliance that was formed in 2020 after the abrogation of Article 370, named the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), it was formed to fight for the restoration of Article 370 but it disintegrated in 2024 due to internal rifts, especially between the JKPC and then the NC and the PDP. The break-up of the PAGD highlights the difficulty of sustaining alliances in Jammu and Kashmir. The PAC will need to resolve trust issues among its members to avoid a similar fate.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
New political alliance 'Peoples Alliance for Change' launched in Kashmir
SRINAGAR: Three Kashmir-based political parties have come together to form a new political alliance named the Peoples Alliance for Change. The alliance comprises the Peoples Conference, led by MLA Sajjad Gani Lone; the Peoples Democratic Front (PDF), headed by former MLA Hakim Mohammad Yasin; and the Justice & Development Front (JDF), a newly-formed party comprising former members of the now-banned Jamaat-e-Islami. The announcement was made at a press conference in Srinagar by JDF President Shamim Ahmad Thoker, who emphasised the alliance's aim to work collectively for the people of Jammu and Kashmir while maintaining consistency in political messaging. 'We must unite to serve the people,' said Thoker, stressing the importance of political unity in the region. He added, 'This alliance is the beginning, not the end. We will approach other like-minded parties to join us in our pursuit of change. This platform seeks to unite those who have endured pain and to exclude those who have inflicted it.'
