Handwara, Oct 08: Sheikh Khurshid, the younger brother of MP Er Rashid, secured a narrow victory from the Langate constituency with a margin of just 1,602 votes on Monday.
Speaking to the media after the results, Khurshid expressed his gratitude to the people of Langate for their overwhelming support, trust, and respect. He acknowledged that this was the first time AIP was contesting elections from outside the Langate constituency and vowed that the Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) would perform even better in the upcoming elections.
Khurshid attributed his victory to the legacy of his brother, Er Rashid, who had previously served the people of Langate. “What Er Rashid had done for the people, they have once again allowed us to continue serving them,” Khurshid remarked. He assured the people that he would leave no stone unturned in addressing their long-standing issues and focusing on their development.
“I will be at the forefront for my people at every juncture,” he stated, underlining his commitment to the constituency. When asked about their first experience in elections, Khurshid noted that while it was a learning process, the party is now better prepared and will be stronger in future elections, particularly in 2029. He stated that their vote share has increased, surpassing even the People’s Democratic Party, a significant player in the valley.
However, Khurshid did not shy away from addressing challenges during the election process. He accused certain officials of acting as “paid workers” for Sajad Gani, alleging that they were working under his influence. He further claimed that AIP workers were attacked by People’s Conference supporters during the vote counting at ITI Handwara.
Despite these setbacks, Sheikh Khurshid remains optimistic about AIP’s future and promises continued dedication to the people of Langate.