Baramulla MP Er Rashid Changes Tunes As His AIP Fails To Repeat LS Success In J&K Polls
Just a day ahead of the assembly poll results, Er Rashid had expressed confidence in forming an alliance but now that the poll results are becoming clear, Baramulla MP seems to be changing his tune.
As the Jammu and Kashmir assembly election results unfold, it's becoming clear that the main competition in the state is between Congress and its alliance partner National Conference and the Narendra Modi-led BJP. While PDP and others will also play a significant role in the formation of the government, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), founded by Engineer Rashid, is surprisingly not showing any presence on the poll results map as per ECI data at 9:30 am on Tuesday.
Just a day before the assembly poll results, Engineer Rashid had expressed confidence in forming an alliance and being part of the government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, but now that the poll results are becoming clear, the Baramulla MP seems to be changing his tune.
Now, Engineer Rashid has said that his main objective is not to secure a place in the government but to work towards "ending the disempowerment of the people of Kashmir". He expressed his concerns about the situation in the region, emphasizing the need for a solution that empowers the people rather than focusing solely on political gains.
Speaking on the progress of the INDIA alliance, Rashid said, "It’s good news if the INDIA alliance is gaining momentum; this is the people’s mandate." However, he urged caution on jumping to conclusions about the number of seats they might secure, adding, "We will get a decent vote share, but let's wait and see how many seats we actually win."
"I was imprisoned for five and a half years and could only campaign for 12 days," Rashid added reflecting on challenges. He also expressed scepticism about the next government, stating, "I have no expectations from the incoming government because it too will be disempowered."
Rashid advised political leaders to avoid rushing into forming a government and instead focus on pressuring for the betterment of the state. "Whichever party gets the seats, they should not hasten to form the government but instead press for positive change in the state," he said.
He also criticized the opportunistic behaviour of political parties, pointing out inconsistencies in their alliances.
"First, they created the Gupkar Alliance but then fought the Lok Sabha elections separately. In this election, the PDP and NC have been at each other's throats, which is Kashmir’s tragedy—they are all opportunists."
Touching on the nomination of assembly members by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, he questioned the nomination, calling it unconstitutional.
"Modi ji says 'One Nation, One Law, One Leader,' so why is Jammu and Kashmir given special status? Stop making Kashmir an experiment ground; we are being mocked by allowing legislators through the backdoor."
On the issue of reservations, Rashid questioned why Kashmiri Pandits and PoK representatives should receive reservations when they can contest elections and vote.
"If they can run in elections and vote, then what is the need for reservations?" he asked.
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