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Third Front to contest J&K elections

The Front, however, reiterated its stand that elections were not a solution to Kashmir issue.

"We are fighting the elections for a bigger goal of right to self-determination and prove our representative character so that we are invited for talks to resolve the Kashmir issue," Abdul Khalif Hanief, convenor of the Kashmir Resolution Movement, also known as the Third Front, said in Srinagar.

"We are fighting the polls under compulsion as America, Britain, German, Canada and other diplomatic quarters impressed that [the] coming elections are close to being a referendum on the wishes of the people," he said.

"Although elections are no solution to the Kashmir issue, we should not hesitate to contest the elections in view of the stress laid by the international community," he said.

Hanief, a former Jamaat-e-Islami leader, said the Indian government had also attached importance to the coming polls, promising that it was a first step towards resolving Kashmir issue.

"The Third Front will fight the coming elections and play its role in resolving the Kashmir problem, try to bridge the gap between India and Pakistan and try to raise voice against violation of human rights," Hanief said.

He announced his candidature for the polls from Sonawari constituency in Baramulla district, represented by militant-turned-politician Kuka Parray.

The Ruling National Conference has put up veteran party activist Mohammed Akbar Lone from the seat.

The Assembly Election in J&K: The Complete Coverage

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