Syed Salim Gilani, a former Hurriyat Conference leader, has officially joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar. The announcement was made at the PDP headquarters, ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections set to take place in three phases. Gilani is expected to be the PDP’s candidate from the Khanyar constituency in old city Srinagar, where he will contend against Ali Mohammad Sagar of the National Conference.
This move by the former separatist leader is likely to increase the competition in a constituency that has historically favored the NC. It also signifies a possible shift in Gilani’s political ideology as he enters mainstream politics under the PDP banner. This development comes amidst a growing trend of separatist organizations and religious clerics participating in the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, with banned Jamaat-e-Islami fielding six independent candidates in south Kashmir.
Gilani’s entry into mainstream politics is a significant development in the region’s political landscape, setting the stage for a competitive and dynamic electoral contest in Khanyar constituency.
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