Er Rashid’s brother to contest elections

Srinagar, Sep 5: Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, brother of former MLA Er. Rashid is expected to contest the upcoming elections from the Langate constituency under the banner of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP). He is likely to face Irfan Panditpuri, the candidate from the People’s Conference, in what is expected to be a closely watched contest.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved the voluntary retirement of Khursheed Ahmad , a teacher from Mawar, Kupwara, effective from September 1, 2024. The School Education Department issued the order, granting Khursheed’s request for retirement after 16 years of service.
Rashid had previously won the Langate seat in 2008 and 2014, but Irfan Panditpuri defeated the AIP candidate in the 2020 District Development Council (DDC) elections. Khursheed’s entry into the political arena has sparked interest, and his candidacy is seen as a significant shift in the political dynamics of the Langate constituency.
With a clean service record and approval from the authorities, Khursheed’s transition from education to politics is being closely followed by observers. His decision to retire has been met with mixed reactions, with some questioning the timing of his retirement and its connection to his political ambitions.
The retirement of Er. Rashid’s brother has also faced opposition on social media, with some suggesting that if he retired to contest the assembly elections, it would mark a new era of dynasty politics. However, responding to these social media trolls, Sheikh Khursheed clarified that he is making a genuine sacrifice by retiring from his job to serve the people of Langate.