Will back INDIA alliance if it brings resolution in Parl to restore Art 370: Er Rashid

Srinagar, Sept 12: Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) president and Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Er Rashid, on Thursday announced his conditional support for the INDIA alliance in the upcoming elections in Jammu & Kashmir, saying he would back the alliance only if they bring a resolution in Parliament to restore Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile State before being revoked in 2019.
Addressing a press conference here, Er Rashid, who is currently out on interim bail, said his support is contingent upon a written promise from the alliance to work toward restoring Article 370. He appealed to the people of Jammu & Kashmir to give him a strong mandate in the upcoming elections, asking for at least 40 seats.
“With a powerful mandate, I would lead a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi to demand the restoration of Article 370. If given a strong mandate, we will do something unimaginable for the people of Kashmir,” he promised.
The AIP chief criticised the regional political parties, including the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), questioning their commitment to the promises they have made about Article 370. “These parties did not act on this issue while they were in power,” he said.
He also slammed the PDP for what he described as a “betrayal”, saying the party had paved the way for the entry of the BJP into Kashmir politics, despite initially opposing them. Rashid accused the PDP of enabling the BJP’s rise in the region and blamed the party for “bulldozing the dreams” of the Kashmiri people.
Rejecting accusations of being an “agent of Pakistan” or an “enemy of India”, the MP said he was imprisoned for five years in Tihar Jail while other leaders in Kashmir were under “comfortable” detention.
He further criticised the current political narrative being promoted by the central government, known as “Naya Kashmir”, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “This vision had failed, particularly in north Kashmir, where people continue to face challenges and express their dissatisfaction,” he said.
The AIP president made it clear that any future cooperation with regional parties like NC, PDP or Congress would depend on their stance regarding the restoration of Article 370. “These parties must present a clear roadmap if they wish to gain my support,” he said.