Srinagar: Abdul Rashid Shiekh alias Engineer Rashid today said that his party Awami Itehad Party (AIP) will play a bigger role in government formation in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory following assembly elections.
Talking to a news channel, Rashid didn’t rule out aligning with BJP post-assembly elections.
“I am a fighter, I resist but will not shut my doors to any party for government formation,” he said when asked whether he would align with BJP.
Reacting to Rashid’s statement, NC vice president, Omar Abdullah said that the move indicates that Rashid is here to divide votes.
His comments have generated a fresh debate within Kashmir with political observers questioning his timing of release from jail.
“Abdul Rashid Sheikh contested Lok Sabha elections. He rode on sympathy wave and defeated Omar Abdullah and Sajad Lone in north Kashmir LS constituency. However, today is a different scene, his post-release tantrums are being suspected by the people. Even in his home constituency. Langate, people are raising questions,” was the impression of the people who were interviewed by this newspaper in Langate.
“His brother was a government employee drawing decent salary. Why did he resign and decided to contest polls? Means, he is mindful of the fact that he will get much more money than he used to get as government employee,” said a voter, who didn’t want to be identified for obvious reasons.
Rashid’s assertion that if he wins some seats, he will not close his doors on BJP, has come as a big statement as most of the political parties have been questioning his release and even some saying that he wasn’t in prison from last two months.
