AIP to seek cadre feedback before final decision
Srinagar, June 21: Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Engineer Rashid, is reportedly considering either resigning from his parliamentary seat or launching a hunger strike while lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail, sources close to him said.
The development has triggered concern and debate across Kashmir, as Rashid remains incarcerated in a terror funding case. Sources close to him told Rising Kashmir that he has been deliberating the move for the past several weeks, expressing frustration over his inability to effectively represent and serve the people of north Kashmir while remaining behind bars.
Sources said Rashid believes his continued detention has prevented him from fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to him by voters. They added that both resignation from the Lok Sabha and a hunger strike are among the options under serious consideration.
This is not the first time Rashid has indicated dissatisfaction with his political situation. During a previous period of interim bail, he had hinted at the possibility of stepping away from active politics.
Engineer Rashid won the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat by a massive margin in the 2024 parliamentary elections despite being in custody. He has been lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with a terror funding case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
There has been no official statement from Rashid or his legal team regarding the reported plans. However, sources close to him said that everything would become clear in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has decided to seek the opinion of its grassroots cadre on Rashid’s expressed intention to step down from the Lok Sabha, citing his inability to effectively reach out to and serve the people who elected him with a massive mandate.
In a statement, AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said that the party’s Committee on Political Affairs held detailed deliberations on the issue and resolved to initiate a broad based consultation process involving party office bearers and cadres across all 18 Assembly segments of the Baramulla parliamentary constituency.
“After carefully examining all dimensions of the issue, the Committee on Political Affairs has decided that party functionaries at various levels will participate in a two day consultative exercise to deliberate on whether Engineer Rashid should continue as Member of Parliament or relinquish the position,” Inam said.
He added that the party may, if required, conduct a secret ballot among its cadres to ensure members can express their views freely and without any pressure.
According to the spokesperson, party office bearers at the panchayat and block levels will engage with the general public and various sections of society to gather feedback on the issue. Their final opinion will reflect the sentiments conveyed by the people during the consultation process.
“The objective is to ensure that any decision regarding Engineer Rashid’s future as MP is guided by the wishes and aspirations of the people who reposed their trust in him and the party,” Inam said.
He further stated that the outcome of the consultations and any subsequent voting process would be formally conveyed to Engineer Rashid, enabling him to take an informed decision on the matter.
