Omar Abdullah, former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday, June 4, conceded defeat to his nearest rival and independent candidate Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid in the Baramulla seat in the Lok Sabha elections 2024.
“I think it’s time to accept the inevitable. Congratulations to Engineer Rashid for his victory in North Kashmir. I don’t believe his victory will hasten his release from prison nor will the people of North Kashmir get the representation they have a right to but the voters have spoken and in a democracy that’s all that matters,” Omar Abdullah wrote on X (formally Twitter).
Who is Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid?
- Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid is currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail in an alleged militant-funding case.
- A former two-time MLA who heads the Awami Ittehad Party, was one of 22 candidates in the fray from Baramulla.
- Engineer Rashid was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019 on charges of alleged militant-funding activities, becoming the first mainstream leader to be held under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
- His two sons Abrar Rashid and Asrar Rashid, who led the election campaign for their father, expressed confidence that the massive crowds witnessed in the rallies would turn into votes for Rashid, leading to his release from prison.
- Engineer Rashid won the Langate assembly segment in 2008 and 2014 and also unsuccessfully contested the 2019 parliamentary elections. While he leads the Awami Ittehad Party, he contested these elections as an Independent.
Discover more from Alfaaz - The Words
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.