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The upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections have taken an intriguing turn with the release of Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, on interim bail from Tihar Jail. His release, just ahead of the elections, has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about his political intentions, particularly among regional parties who accuse him of being a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) proxy, a claim he vehemently denies.
Rashid, the chief of the Awami Ittehad Party, had been incarcerated since August 2019 after being arrested by the National Investigation Agency in connection with a terror-funding case. Despite his absence, he had made a significant impact on the political landscape of the Kashmir Valley, particularly when he emerged as a dark horse in the Lok Sabha elections, defeating former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by a staggering margin of 2,04,142 votes. His release, therefore, has stirred the political pot, with many questioning the timing and implications of his return.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to be held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 5, with the counting of votes slated for October 8. Rashid, upon his release, has wasted no time in launching attacks on the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the BJP, claiming his mission is to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Naya Kashmir' narrative. His rhetoric has been particularly sharp against the NC and PDP, accusing them of being responsible for the current state of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir.
Rashid's political campaign since his release has been marked by a series of rallies and public appearances, where he has sought to galvanize support for his party. His first rally, aimed at expressing gratitude to the people of his Lok Sabha constituency, saw a decent turnout, with Rashid emphasizing the 'oppression' faced by the people of Kashmir and urging the BJP to engage in negotiations and peace talks to resolve the Kashmir issue. He has also attempted to invoke emotional resonance among the Kashmiri populace, speaking about separatists imprisoned for alleged anti-India activities, including Maqbool Bhat and Afzal Guru, who were buried in Tihar Jail premises. Rashid's own experience in the same jail, where he shared proximity to their graves, has been used to garner sympathy and reinforce his image as a champion of the Kashmiri cause.
Rashid's party, the Awami Ittehad Party, has fielded 34 candidates so far for the assembly elections, including his younger brother Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, who resigned from government service to contest from Langate. Many believe Rashid's Lok Sabha victory was fueled by a wave of sympathy, with his sons relentlessly campaigning on the promise of their father's release. Analysts suggest that Rashid also attracted support from those sympathetic to the separatist movement in the Valley. Data from the Lok Sabha constituencies in the Baramulla segment reveals that Rashid secured the highest number of votes in 15 out of the 18 assembly segments, outperforming Omar Abdullah, who holds considerable influence in north Kashmir.
The political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir has been significantly altered by Rashid's release. While the NC was previously perceived as having a strong hold on constituencies, Rashid's campaign has the potential to disrupt this dominance. His opponents, however, have questioned the consistency of his stance, particularly his perceived shift on the pre-abrogation of Article 370, which he once advocated for as a form of self-determination for Kashmir. Omar Abdullah, in particular, has pointed out the apparent contradiction in BJP's opposition to Arvind Kejriwal's bail and their welcoming of Rashid's release, suggesting that the BJP might be supporting Rashid to divide the vote bank and ultimately benefit from it.
Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP chief, has also expressed suspicion regarding Rashid's release and his party's financial resources, questioning the source of funds for their campaign. The upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir are expected to be fiercely contested, with Rashid's presence adding a layer of complexity and intrigue to the political landscape. While his impact in the south may be limited, the battle for north Kashmir seems to be intensifying, particularly between the NC and Rashid's Awami Ittehad Party. Whether Rashid can replicate his Lok Sabha success in the assembly elections remains to be seen, but his presence in the election race has certainly shaken things up and made the upcoming elections even more unpredictable.
Source: Termed 'BJP Proxy' by Rivals, Can Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid 'Engineer' A Shock Result in J&K Polls?