Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Sep 10: Much to the relief of Awami Itehad Party (AIP) ahead of crucial Assembly polls in J&K, Delhi Patiala House Court Tuesday granted an interim bail to jailed Member Parliament Er Sheikh Abdur Rashid popularly known as Er Rashid.
The Court also allowed Er Rashid to carry out campaigning in J&K. The ‘freedom of North Kashmir MP’ is, however, short-lived’ as his bail ends on October 2 after which he will have to be lodged again in Tihar jail, New Delhi.
AIP’s chief spokesman Inamun Nabi said that the party chief has been granted bail till October 2. “This is the victory of people of north Kashmir who voted in large numbers to ensure Er Rashid’s victory,” he said. “There are jubilations in the party and joy in Er Rashid’s family.”
Inam said that the family members of Er Rashid are eagerly waiting to see him after five long years. Rashid emerged as a big leader despite being in jail for the last five years, after defeating National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah and Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone in Lok Sabha polls held in April-May. The voter turnout in the polls was over 58 per cent.
The AIP spokesman said that now that Er Rashid is allowed to carry out campaigning for his party, candidates will get a huge push as the party chief is known as a “crowd puller” for being articulate and clear in his speeches. “His release, though for 40 days, will make a big difference in the party. Our candidates are happy over the Delhi court’s verdict.”
Asked when Er Rashid is expected to reach home, Inam said that formalities are being completed and the party chief is likely to reach home Wednesday evening. Er Rashid was arrested for his alleged involvement in terror funding by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The north Kashmir MP will oversee his party’s larger participation in Assembly elections that are being held after a decade in J&K.
Meanwhile, National Conference vice president Omar while reacting to Er Rashid’s bail, said the bail granted to North Kashmir MP was not going to benefit those who voted for him in Parliamentary polls. “His bail is aimed at fetching votes in Assembly polls,” Omar said. However, one thing is sure that the campaigning by Er Rashid for AIP candidates will make the contest tough for those in fray from north Kashmir.
