Will Engineer Rashid's Electoral Experiments Work?(image:facebook.com/Errashid123)

More than just a political leader Engineer Rashid is an emotion for many in Kashmir. For them, Rashid communicate a language of victimhood, suffering and turmoil which they understand and undergoes.

Arrested under UAPA for terror funding case, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief and Baramulla MP, Sheikh Abdul Rashid aka Engineer Rashid was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on September 10 to allow him to campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.

Since Engineer Rashid’s release, established regional parties, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), appear to be worried and allege him being a “proxy of Delhi”. Meanwhile, political observers unanimously states with his entry, the dynamics of assembly elections have been shifted and AIP’s recent alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir  (JIJK) also solidifies the claim. Rashid’s party has fielded 34 candidates, 33 in the Kashmir valley and one in the Jammu region.

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How will Rashid’s presence influence the electoral prospects in Kashmir? Will his “shared victimhood narrative” still transfer into votes?

Lok Sabha Win – A Political Statement

In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Rashid attained a remarkable victory from Baramulla seat by defeating political heavyweights such as NC vice president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and People’s Conference (PC) leader Sajad Gani Lone. An unlikely candidate, in his surprise victory garnered over 4 lakh votes, underlining a significant political statement. The win also placed him as a formidable figure in the Kashmir’s political landscape.

His win was beyond personal triumph because electorates in Kashmir for so long has been looking for a leader who shared their suffering, and battle against Delhi in their quest for democracy and lost status.

Unconventional Leader

Rashid’s unconventional political style exudes new lease of hope and faith in Kashmir. His anti-establishment stance, especially the confrontational mode of deliberations attracted the young generation who have grown up disgruntled in  witnessing and enduring the clamping down of their freedom through curfews, imprisonment and digital media expressions.

Rashid is direct and keeps his arguments in line. Even after his statements since release, he has not toned down in his approach. Along with reiterating the demand for the restoration of Article 370, he emphasised for the resolution of the Kashmir issue, and repeatedly talked about the condition of Kashmiri prisoners needing medical attention.

Relatable to many, Rashid came from an unassuming background, which makes his foray into politics more authentic, and purposive. But the rebellious trait was instilled in him. Before venturing into mainstream politics, he associated with Abdul Gani Lone, and his party People’s Conference (PC), which was then part of separatist political grouping. Later, Rashid quit separatist politics and joined Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) as a civil engineer.

In 2008, resigning from government service, he made entry into mainstream politics as an independent from Langate . His active participation in campaigns championing human rights, and developmental activities secure him a second term. The introduction of peaceful yet unusual protests calling for freedom of expression, addressing human right violations and anti-people policies such as hosting a “beef party” in 2015 to protest against ban on the slaughter of cows, and holding a unique protest march on International Human Rights Day 2015 with a cow, a goat, a horse and a dog, holding placards that reads the animals were “more secure than the people of Kashmir” set him apart as a dedicated legislator yet uncompromising. Rashid’s engagement with the constituency at that time has been looked upon as admirable political model. Later, he established his own party, AIP; but contested as an independent candidate from Baramullah in the 2019 election, and lost.

His Arrest

Rashid’s arrest by the National Investigative Agency (NIA) on terror funding charges also stays controversial since no trial has taken place since his arrest five years ago. His name did not came up in first chargesheet in the case consisting the name of 12 accused, submitted by the agency on January 18, 2018. His name emerged in the following investigation. Notably, he got arrested on August 9, 2019 four days after the Central government revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. In the subsequent supplementary chargesheet filed on October, 4, 2019 agency named five people which included Rashid.

BJP Proxy And Allegations On His Release

The release of Engineer Rashid right before the elections questioned by all regional parties. NC patriarch Farooq Abdullah concern over his release stated that he could divide the Muslims, and is an “ally of the BJP and RSS” and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti dubbed AIP as “a proxy of the BJP.” However, rejecting claims, in his first response after release, Rashid asked, “How can a man who has been the victim of the BJP’s politics be its proxy?” He started his campaigns targeting the NC and PDP and their leadership.

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However, the allegations of him being a vote cutter is still alive. Since he and AIP present himself as an alternative to valley-based political parties, and People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), a coalition of seven parties, the stakes in his election are high. His separatist past, rebellious stand, and identity as a prisoner imparted huge factor in bringing a large section of voters, who boycotted elections earlier to cast their votes in the Lok Sabha polls. However, there is difference between Lok Sabha polls and assembly polls. People’s outlook towards what should be the outcome of assembly elections could be more pertaining to stable governance, freedom and development initiatives.

His release on bail and active electioneering akin to free citizen, in a way has also impeded the sentimental and emotional narrative gave great hold during his contest from jail during Lok Sabha polls. Even if he did not turn to be hero in the assembly polls, how the vote bank  which will be capitalised by him, and JIJK turn to be decisive for all the major players in the fray and for Kashmir.