Supporters Rally for Detained Ex Lawmaker Engineer Rashid in Lok Sabha Campaign

In a spirited display of support, followers of detained former lawmaker Engineer Sheikh Abdul Rashid organized a vibrant road show stretching from Baramulla to Uri as part of their electoral campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.

Leading the charge was Engineer Rashid’s 26-year-old son, Abrar Rashid, spearheading the rally covering a 50-kilometer route. Addressing enthusiastic crowds along the way, Abrar emphasized the grassroots nature of their movement, reliant not on flashy banners or vehicles, but on the steadfast support of the people. “Today’s vote is not just for my father, but for his unwavering spirit and the injustices he fights against,” he declared.

Engineer Rashid, a vocal advocate from Langate, has spent five years behind bars in Tihar jail, known for championing the rights of the common people and vehemently opposing alleged human rights abuses. A formidable figure in North Kashmir politics, he is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla as an independent candidate.

Former legislator Shoiab Lone, representing the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), stood alongside Engineer Rashid’s supporters during the roadshow, rallying for his cause both on the streets and on social media platforms. Confident in the loyalty of voters from Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, and Budgam, Lone expressed optimism in their steadfast support.

Despite facing formidable challenges, including his arrest by the NIA in 2019 on charges related to terror funding, Engineer Rashid remains undeterred, symbolized by his campaign emblem—a pressure cooker. His entry into the electoral fray adds a dynamic element to the contest, potentially reshaping the political landscape in the region and posing a significant challenge to established parties like the NC and others.