Srinagar, May 15: Abrar Rashid, the son of former MLA Langate Er Rashid, on Wednesday said the youth of the Kashmir Valley have abandoned the path of violence and embraced democracy.
Addressing the media persons in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, Abrar said a large number of youth are joining the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) across Kashmir, which indicates a shift towards non-violent political participation.
He urged people to cast their votes in favour of his jailed father and AIP chief and promised to work towards the release of all those incarcerated in various jails across India if Er Rashid comes to power.
“This election is about truth versus falsehood,” Abrar asserted, appealing to voters to support Er Rashid and participate actively in the electoral process. He, however, lamented that he hadn’t seen his father in the last five years.
Abrar has emerged as a prominent campaigner for his father, who is currently in Tihar Jail on charges related to terror funding since August 4, 2019. The AIP has garnered good support in north Kashmir, posing a challenge to established parties like the National Conference and Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference.
Political analysts say that Abrar Rashid’s active campaigning has altered the political dynamics in north Kashmir, making the electoral battle more challenging for traditional contenders like Omar Abdullah of the NC and Sajad Lone of the JKPC.
In recent days, several political leaders and social workers, including Shoieb Lone, have thrown their support behind Engineer Rashid’s party, which has further complicated the electoral landscape.
The Parliamentary Constituency of Baramulla is witnessing a contest among prominent figures, including former chief minister Omar Abdullah, former minister Sajad Gani Lone, former MLA Er Rashid and former Rajya Sabha Member Fayaz Mir.
