NEW DELHI: A special NIA court in New Delhi on Tuesday granted interim bail to Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, better known as Engineer Rashid (pic), till Oct 2, allowing him to campaign for the J&K polls.Additional sessions judge Chander Jit Singh had reserved his order after an in-camera hearing. “It is a huge relief (for Rashid) after having spent over five years in jail,” said his counsel Vikhyat Oberoi.Lodged in Tihar jail since 2019 after being held in a terror funding case, Rashid moved a plea for 3 months’ interim bail to participate in campaign. Rashid, who heads Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), contested as an independent candidate from the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency and defeated National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah, earlier this year.The upcoming assembly elections- three-phase polls from Sept 18 to Oct 1 for 90 assembly seats – the first after the abrogation of Article 370, are being seen as a milestone, as Rashid’s massive win over the former CM as well as Sajjad Lone of People’s Conference in the Lok Sabha elections had created ripples in the Valley and changed the dynamics of electoral politics there. The victory came despite Rashid’s incarceration – his sons campaigned for their father – making it even more significant, and had rattled the mainstream political parties in Kashmir. It was an indicator of the voter sentiments in the separatist landscape of the region.Both Omar and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti have alleged that Rashid is being pushed by BJP to weaken mainstream parties. Omar said: “I feel sorry for the people of Baramulla. This bail is not to serve the people of north Kashmir but to get votes. After polls, Er Rashid will be back in Tihar…My only appeal is not to allow BJP’s designs to succeed. If people want a BJP govt in J&K, then they should support AIP, PCP and Apni Party.”(With inputs from agencies)
