Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul “Engineer” Rashid on Monday asked non-BJP parties not to stake claim for government formation unless statehood was restored, prompting National Conference leader Omar Abdullah to accuse him of furthering a BJP plot to prolong central rule.

Rashid’s call came a day ahead of the counting as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said it would take a call on joining a “secular front” after the results are
announced.

Rashid, released from Tihar Jail last month to campaign in the Assembly elections, already faces the charge of being a “BJP proxy” who is being used to fragment the anti-BJP vote.

Tainted by the allegation, he (his party AIP) is unlikely to repeat the stellar performance of the summer Lok Sabha elections, when Rashid defeated the heavyweights Omar and Sajad Lone from Baramulla.

Rashid on Monday addressed a news conference where he said the elected government would have few powers in the absence of statehood. He urged INDIA bloc partners and other parties and individuals not to form the government until statehood was restored.

“All parties should focus on that one goal until statehood is restored. They shouldn’t form the government until they convey this demand to the Union government. The AIP is ready to cooperate with them on this issue,” he said.

Rashid said that even if a party or alliance achieved majority, it would be good if all the parties mounted pressure on the Union government to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Rashid criticised the Gupkar Alliance — which includes the NC and the PDP and is fighting for the restoration of Article 370 — for its inaction over the past five years.

“Show me one achievement they have made since 2019,” he said.

Rashid is out on bail till October 12.

Omar hit out at Rashid in a post on X, saying: “The man goes to Delhi for 24 hours and comes back to play straight into the hands of the BJP. The BJP would like nothing more than to extend central rule in J&K if they aren’t in a position to form a government.”

PDP leader Iltija Mufti rebuffed a party leader who had floated the idea of supporting the NC and the Congress in a hung Assembly.

“Unnecessary speculations. Let me put the record straight. PDPs senior leadership will take a call on extending support to a secular front only once the results are out. This is our official stand,” Iltija, daughter of party chief Mehbooba Mufti and media adviser to her, posted on X.