NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Sep 13 (NVI): Ever since the North Kashmir Member Parliament Sheikh Abdur Rashid popularly known as Engineer Rashid walked out of the Tihar jail, the “Pressure Cooker”, Awami Itehad’s Party’s (AIPs) symbol has picked up the steam across the Valley.
Political activities had already started to increase as first phase slated for September 18 is inching closer but Er Rashid’s release from Tihar jail after five years, though on bail till October 2, has unnerved many politicians and candidates in fray for sure.
Er Rashid, who emerged victorious by almost two lakh votes in the Lok Sabha polls held in May-June this year defeated political big wigs—National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah and Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone. In the Lok Sabha polls, the slogan of “cooker, cooker, pressure cooker gained popularity and went viral on social media by too.”
Whatever the reason, Er Rashid has triggered a new political discourse in Kashmir by pinching Omar and Mehbooba through his remarks: “My mission is much bigger than Omar and Mehbooba. Omar is fighting for chair and I am fighting for Kashmir resolution.”
In Parliamentary polls, Er Rashid got a lead from 14 Assembly segments of north Kashmir. Now that his party has plunged to poll pray in full eyeing at least 40 seats to do “something unimaginable in Delhi”, not just Omar and Mehbooba, but PC chief Sajad lone too has started to feel the heat.
A PC leader admitted that in Langate they will have a very close fight with AIP candidate. Langate was the home constituency of Er Rashid when he was MLA. AIP is contesting on almost 40 to 50 seats of majority of them in Kashmir and a few in Jammu as well.
Political observers believe that AIP will definitely make a difference in the upcoming Assembly polls. “If AIP candidate doesn’t win, but one thing is sure that there will be a huge vote fragmentation. Votes of NC, PDP and even PC will be cut to a large extent in many constituencies of North Kashmir. There is no doubt about this,” they said.
Er Rashid yesterday claimed that PC chief Sajad Lone who is contesting from two seats—Handwara and Kupwara, will loose from both seats. However, PC leader stated that they will face competition but Sajad will win. Similarly, Omar too is contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal. Er Rashid stated that Omar will also loose from both seats.
Addressing a rally in Anantnag, NC chief Dr Farooq Abdullah in an obvious reference to Er Rashid said that those released from jails to campaign are “proxies of BJP.” He warned NC-Congress workers to remain vigilant and not to fall prey to “BJP’s Proxies and BJP backed candidates in J&K.”
At a time when polls are just five days away, Er Rashid has also took a jibe at PDP by stating this party provided a launch pad to BJP in 2014 which later paved way for “bulldozing the dreams of Kashmiris.” Widening his ambit, Er Rashid is campaigning in South Kashmir today with a motive that AIP wave grips Kashmir north to south.
With Kashmir politics in pressure cooker situation again, what remains to be see is whether people of north, south and Centre would support AIP, BJP or stick to their vote bank that is of National Conference. This election will also be the litmus test for PDP as well. (News Vibes of India)
