Jailed two-time former MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid, the first unionist leader arrested in Kashmir in alleged militancy-related activities following the scrapping of special status, filed his nomination from the Baramulla parliamentary seat
on Monday.
The head of the Awami Ithaad Party, also called Engineer Rashid, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on August 9, four days after the state lost its special status in 2019.
Rashid is currently lodged in Tihar jail. Omar Abdullah and Sajad Lone are in the fray from Baramulla.
His party spokesman Firdos Baba said they filed the nomination upon completion of all legal and administrative formalities. “We had been waiting for the final approval from the authorities to go ahead with the tendering of papers,” Baba told reporters.
It is not clear whether Rashid’s nomination will be accepted. In anticipation, the party has fielded his son Abrar Rashid as a covering candidate.
“Engineer Rashid has spoken for Kashmir and Kashmiris for 11 long years in the Assembly. He spoke about human rights violations and other rights,” Abrar said.
“His sacrifices are in front of the people. He has been behind bars since 2019. People regret that he didn’t make it to Parliament in the 2019 elections as he lost by a few thousand votes. We are sure people will not disappoint us this time.”
