In a significant development ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, a Delhi court granted interim bail to Kashmiri MP Engineer Rashid until October 2nd. This move allows Rashid, a prominent political figure in the region, to participate in the upcoming three-phased polls, which conclude on October 1st.
Rashid, who is the founder of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), has been behind bars since 2019 on charges of terror funding. His AIP has fielded 34 candidates in the assembly elections, with his younger brother, Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, also contesting from the Langate seat in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Notably, Rashid had previously served as an MLA from the same seat twice.
His return to the political scene is expected to give his party a significant boost, especially as he now holds a Lok Sabha seat. Rashid’s recent electoral victory in the Baramulla constituency, where he defeated former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was a major upset. His campaign, conducted from Tihar jail, demonstrated his enduring popularity in the region.
The timing of Rashid’s bail has sparked controversy, with some questioning the BJP’s involvement and alleging a political deal. Both the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have voiced suspicions, claiming that the BJP is supporting the AIP and other smaller parties. PDP chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed concern about the AIP’s resources to field so many candidates. Omar Abdullah also echoed these concerns, stating that Rashid’s bail was not for the benefit of the Baramulla constituency but for electoral gains.
Political analysts believe that Rashid’s presence will energize the AIP’s campaign and potentially impact the electoral prospects of NC candidates in several north Kashmir seats. His unique blend of populist appeal and controversial past makes him a fascinating figure in the ongoing political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.
