Rashid’s party moves court, seeks 45-day parole for Baramulla MP

Adil Akhzer

Srinagar, August 19

The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has moved the court seeking 45-day parole for party leader and Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, so that he can campaign during the three-phase Assembly poll scheduled next month.

“We have asked for 45-day parole. We don’t know when the case would be listed for hearing. But we are hopeful that the court will accept our plea,” senior party leader Prince Parvaiz said. He said other than moving the parole application, the party has filed a regular bail application as well.

Rashid has been in jail since 2019, when Article 370 was revoked in Jammu and Kashmir. He was summoned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to New Delhi and was arrested in an alleged money laundering case related to terror funding.

Rashid, who contested the recent Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate, defeated former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah by a margin of over two lakh votes. Banking on the huge victory, the party is hopeful to put up a good show in Assembly elections as Rashid had secured lead in 15 of the 18 Assembly segments that were part of the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat.

Now, AIP leaders believe that Rashid’s coming out on parole and campaigning for party candidates can change the dynamic of politics in the Valley. “His coming out will change the dynamics of Kashmir politics. It will change the entire situation in Kashmir at political level,” said Parvaiz.

Meanwhile, the party also has a back-up plan. “If he doesn’t come out, the party has other plans, which I can’t disclose right now. We have a good team,” he said. Parvaiz also said that people in Kashmir are fed up with traditional parties and have accepted AIP as an alternative.

Political experts in Kashmir said while parole to Engineer Rashid can provide a prominent face to the party and boost its prospects in north Kashmir, it might be a challenge for AIP to find credible candidates with winning capability for various constituencies. Also, with Rashid’s brother Sheikh Khursheed expressing interest in joining electoral politics, apparently from Rashid’s stronghold of Langate Assembly constituency, it is not sending out good signals, with many terming it as an expansion of dynasty politics in the Valley. Asked about it, Parvaiz said no such decision has been taken. “The list will be finalised in consultation with Rashid sahab,” he said.

According to AIP leaders, they will contest on all seats in Kashmir as well as Pir Panjal and Chenab region of Jammu.