SRINAGAR — The Delhi Patiala House Court on Tuesday granted interim bail to jailed Awami Itehad Party (AIP) chief and North Kashmir MP Er Sheikh Abdur Rashid, popularly known as Er Rashid, allowing him to campaign in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the Assembly elections.
The interim bail will remain in force until October 2, after which Rashid will have to return to Tihar jail in New Delhi.
AIP chief spokesman Inam un Nabi told news agency KNO that the court had granted bail to the party president until October 2, describing the development as a victory for the people of North Kashmir who voted for Rashid in the Lok Sabha elections.
“There are jubilations in the party and joy in Er Rashid’s family,” Inam un Nabi said.
He said Rashid’s family members were eagerly waiting to see him after five years.
Rashid had defeated National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah and Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone in the Lok Sabha elections held in April-May, according to the source material.
With the court allowing Rashid to campaign, the AIP expects his presence to boost its candidates in the Assembly polls. Inam said Rashid was known as a “crowd puller” because of his speeches and that his release, even for 40 days, would make a significant difference to the party’s campaign.
He said formalities were being completed and Rashid was expected to reach home on Wednesday evening.
Rashid was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with an alleged terror-funding case, according to the source material.
The AIP chief is expected to oversee the party’s participation in the Assembly elections, which are being held after a decade in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reacting to the court’s decision, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said Rashid’s bail was intended to influence the Assembly election rather than enable him to serve his parliamentary constituency.
“We expected this outcome. I pity the people of Baramulla as their MP received bail not to serve or represent them but to gain votes. After the election, he will return to Tihar, leaving North Kashmir without representation,” Omar said.
Omar also said the bail would not benefit those who had voted for Rashid in the parliamentary election, arguing that its purpose was to help secure votes in the Assembly polls.
He acknowledged that Rashid’s campaigning could make the contest tougher for candidates in North Kashmir.
Omar further referred to criticism from Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti, saying she had accused Engineer Rashid of working for the BJP and questioned his funding sources.
On remarks made by former Congress president Vikar Rasool against the National Conference, Omar described him as “foolish” and said his own party had condemned the comments.
Speaking about recent statements by the Home Minister regarding the possibility of forming a government in Jammu and Kashmir with certain persons, Omar urged voters not to split their votes and to support candidates opposed to the BJP.
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