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The upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections have become a hotbed of political maneuvering, with various parties vying for power and accusations flying between them. Omar Abdullah, the vice-president of the National Conference, has accused Engineer Rashid, a jailed MP, of using his interim bail to garner votes from the people of Kashmir, rather than serving them. This statement came after Rashid was granted bail in a terror funding case by a Delhi court.
Abdullah's skepticism is rooted in the fact that Rashid was granted interim bail specifically to enable him to campaign in the elections. He believes that Rashid's focus will be on securing votes for himself and his party, Awami Ittehad Party, and not on fulfilling his duties as a parliamentarian. This sentiment is further fueled by Mehbooba Mufti, the chief of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), who has publicly declared that Awami Ittehad Party is merely a proxy for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mufti's claims have been echoed by Abdullah, who echoes her concerns about the source of funding for the Awami Ittehad Party candidates.
Abdullah's statement highlights a broader concern regarding the potential influence of the BJP in the upcoming elections. He fears that the BJP is employing strategic maneuvers to secure a win, possibly through the use of proxy parties like Awami Ittehad Party. He has urged voters to be cautious and not allow their votes to be split, as this could inadvertently contribute to the BJP's success. He explicitly advises voters to support the National Conference and its alliance partner to keep the BJP out of power. The political atmosphere is further charged by the fact that jailed cleric Sarjan Barkati is contesting against Abdullah from the Ganderbal seat, further reinforcing the perception of a coordinated effort to influence the elections.
The situation becomes even more complex with the involvement of Vikar Rassol Wani, a Congress leader, who has publicly criticized Abdullah and his party. While Wani's statements have been denounced by his own party, Abdullah remains unconvinced about the reasons behind Wani's strong opposition. Despite the political drama unfolding, the elections are set to proceed in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The vote count will take place on October 8. With multiple parties vying for power, the outcome of the elections promises to have significant implications for the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
Source: Engineer Rashid Granted Bail To Fetch Votes From People Of Kashmir, Says Omar Abdullah