Engineer Rashid’s word of caution to parties: ‘Don’t form govt till J&K statehood is restored’

Stating that he does not wish to “add bitterness” to the atmosphere, Rashid said even if a party or an alliance did secure a majority, “it would be better if all these parties should focus on one point and tell the Union government to return statehood, now that elections are over”.

Urging all parties, including the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to come together, Rashid said, “This is not a big issue. Modi ji has anyway changed the goalpost. Unitedly, they should tell the Union government to restore statehood so it restores some dignity and if they want the support of the AIP, we will support them.” He said his party’s support would be irrespective of the fact of who gets a majority because “the government that takes over will have limited powers”.

Terming this the “wish of every voter”, Rashid said that political parties in J&K “should move beyond issuing statements and take practical actions to restore the self-confidence and rights of the people”. If all the elected representatives of J&K stand united and tell the Centre that they will stay away from efforts at government formation till statehood is restored, “it will be good for the people”, said the MP.

NC vice president Omar Abdullah hit out at Rashid, saying he was playing into the hands of the BJP. “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,” Abdullah posted on X.

Rashid, who was granted bail last month to campaign for the Assembly elections, said on Monday, “For five years, the Gupkar alliance and the so-called regional parties did not do anything. Now that elections are over, I humbly request the INDIA Alliance, PDP, Peoples Conference, Apni Party and others to stand united now.”

On the issue of nomination of members to the J&K Assembly, Rashid questioned the Centre’s claims of integration of J&K, saying, “If Modi ji and Amit Shah ji claim that integration is complete with ek nishan, ek vidhan, why is there this system of nominations for J&K?”

Rashid said Kashmiri Pandits were eligible to contest elections and were stakeholders “just as other Kashmiris are.” Nominating members is “against the spirit of democracy and Constitution,” he added.

With the exit polls also indicating that no party or coalition in J&K may end up with a simple majority, the confusion regarding the five members to be nominated to the Assembly by the Lieutenant Governor has parties worried. While most parties have said Lt Governor Manoj Sinha should not make the nominations without the “aid and advice” of the Council of Ministers that will be sworn in soon, the BJP has said he is not required to as per the J&K Reorganisation Act. Several legal experts The Indian Express spoke to also differed over what the changes implied.

Rashid’s AIP contested 34 of the 90 Assembly seats in J&K, largely in Kashmir. During his campaign, the MP targeted all the parties and said his fight was “for the people of Jammu and Kashmir” and not for power.