AIP dismisses coalition rumours, says focus on party chief’s release

Srinagar, Jun 5: Jailed Er Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), which secured a huge win in the recently announced results of the Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, on Wednesday dismissed rumours about forming a coalition with other political entities, saying its priority is to secure the release of their leader.
Firdous Baba, the party chief spokesperson said any decision regarding alliances will be made solely by the party supremo, Er Rashid. He said they are going to seek legal assistance and are planning to take action by tomorrow (Thursday).
“Our priority is to secure Er Rashid’s release. Being party chief, it is going to be his own decision regarding any alliance,” he said.
Notably, the clarification comes following coalition rumours on various social media platforms quoting Abrar Rashid, Er Rashid’s son — the star campaigner.
“It’s not in my domain to talk about this political question of any alliance,” Abrar said, adding that he has no role to play in it and the party, especially its chief can better answer regarding any alliance.
Abrar, who recently spearheaded the election campaign for his incarcerated father has vowed to lead the party until his father’s release from prison.
Earlier speaking to the media persons, Abrar expressed his commitment to the party and the people, saying he would be available for people till his father is released from jail.
He said he had not intended to enter active politics, but his father’s imprisonment compelled him to step into the political arena.
“Since my father is in jail, I will continue to drive the party and be a part of politics for the time being,” he added.
Abrar acknowledged the role of senior party members who have been associated with it for over a decade.
Notably, Baramulla, one of the most significant constituencies in the Kashmir Valley, witnessed a major political upheaval in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, garnering widespread attention.
The election results, announced on Tuesday, brought a surprising outcome as jailed leader Er Rashid defeated former chief minister Omar Abdullah and Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone by a substantial margin of over two lakh votes.
Omar Abdullah, conceding the defeat, commented on X (formerly Twitter), “I think it’s time to accept the inevitable. Congratulations to Engineer Rashid for his victory in North Kashmir. I don’t believe his victory will hasten his release from prison nor will the people of North Kashmir get the representation they have a right to but the voters have spoken and in a democracy that’s all that matters.”
Engineer Rashid, who has previously won the Langate assembly segment in 2008 and 2014, and unsuccessfully contested the 2019 parliamentary elections, leads the Awami Ittehad Party but contested these elections as an Independent. He founded the AIP in 2013.
He remains the only political leader from Kashmir jailed for over five years following the revocation of the semi-autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir. Imprisoned in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act by the National Investigation Agency.
His sons, Abrar and Asrar Rashid, campaigned vigorously for him ahead of the fifth phase of polling on May 20, urging voters to avenge their father’s arrest with their votes, encapsulating their appeal with the slogan, “jail ka badla vote se”.