Will Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid change the electoral dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir as he has been released from Delhi’s Tihar jail? Released on bail to campaign for Awami Ittehad Party, the Baramulla MP is poised to steal the electoral planks of the National Conference and People’s Democratic Party.

What Has Engineer Rashid Said?

The parties, representing the masses of Jammu and Kashmir, have been demanding autonomy for the union territories and holding talks with Pakistan and the militant outfits to resolve the issue that has been plaguing the area since the independence of the country. They have been accused of being sympathetic to the militants fighting for a separate country. The BJP has accused these parties of collaborating with Islamabad and working for secession of the area.

Will Engineer Rashid’s AIP Damage NC, PDP?

Despite having different and on certain issues diametrically opposite viewpoints, both the National Conference and the PDP have deep roots in the union territories, particularly in the Kashmir Valley.

Though they have never supported the demand for self-determination, the main plank of the militant outfits, these parties have been very vocal on autonomy to the union territories and holding talks with Pakistan and now harp on the restoration of Article 370 and the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Though these parties have made coalitions both with the Congress Party and the BJP, they have not diluted their stand or made compromises on their positions.

Will AIP Steal Political Planks of NC, PDP?

Now, with openly demanding the right to self-determination,  restoration of Article 370, the release of Kashmiris languishing in jails and holding talks with Pakistan, Engineer Rashid-led AIP is set to rake up that issue which the parties like the NC and the PDP have been raising for decades.

As the AEP has taken up these issues, it is most likely to take away the main political plank of the National Conference and the PDP. This has come at a time when the BJP is harping on abrogation of Article 370 and is hopeful of reaping rich political dividends at least in Jammu as a result of the master stroke.

Engineer Rashid Slams Abdullahs, Mufti

Engineer Rashid slammed the NC and the PDP as soon as he stepped out of the Tihar Jail. Attacking the PDP and the National Conference, the AIP leader said that Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah are the biggest traitors to Kashmir and Mehbooba Mufti is carrying forward their legacy. He added that they have destroyed Kashmir.

Hitting hard at Omar Abdullah, he said, “My fight is much bigger than what Omar Abdullah says. I was dying in Tihar Jail for five-and-a-half years and he was hiding in London. His fight is for the chair, mine is for the people of Kashmir.”

Engineer Rashid Pledges To Fight For Article 370

Engineer Rashid also pledged to work for the people and promised that he would not let down the people. He also said he would unite the people and not divide them.

The AEP leader also slammed the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, “I pledge to fight against Modi’s narrative of Naya Kashmir which has miserably failed in Jammu and Kashmir. People have rejected his narrative.”

AIP Leader Questions PM Modi

Questioning the political approach adopted by PM Narendra Modi, the AIP leader said, If India has to be Vishwaguru, Kashmir has to be resolved.” He added further, “If you (Modi) have a better solution, please tell us.”

Sticking to his old issue, he said if talking about the issue of Jammu and Kashmir makes him a separatist, then all the people who voted for him may be called secessionists. Clarifying that he stands for his people, Engineer Rashid made it clear that he stands neither for India nor for Pakistan, but for the people of Kashmir.

Engineer Rashid Refers To Mahatma Gandhi

Hitting hard at the NC and the PDP, he said when Amit Shah said Article 30 could not come back, these parties dared not to oppose him and say anything against him. He said further that the parties even did not say that they would fight for this. He went to the extent of referring to Mahatma Gandhi and said Gandhiji did it through nonviolence.

When no party has vowed to fight for the restoration of Article 370, Engineer Rashid declares his intention to fight for this cause. He is sure to appeal to a large section of the people in the Kashmir Valley, snatching the ground from the National Conferences and the PDP. This is most likely to help the BJP, ironically. Does he want this to happen?