Everyone has right to campaign, let Er Rashid do it : Omar Abdullah
Says His rallies are affecting People’s Confrence.
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, May 16: Reacting to the massive campaigning rallies by jailed leader Er Rashid, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference candidate for Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency Seat, Omar Abdullah said that everyone has the right to campaign and let Er Rashid do so as well.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a function in the summer capital city Srinagar, Omar Abdullah as per Kashmir Despatch said that the jailed leader’s campaigning is hardly affecting the National Conference in north Kashmir.
However, he said that Er Rashid’s campaigning is affecting the People’s Conference and it has been clear since yesterday that Sajad Lone has changed his statements.
Omar said that those who used to make claims of winning against him, now consider his loss more important than their win, so it is clear that Er Rashid’s campaigning rally is affecting the People’s Conference.
The entry of jailed former MLA from Langate, Er. Rashid, into the electoral battle for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, for which voting will be held on 20 May, could prove to be a game-changer in the northern region of Kashmir.
Baramulla sees intense campaigning with Omar and Sajad trading accusations, while Engineer Rashid’s entry makes the election more intriguing.
Eighteen assembly segments, including Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, and Budgam, are up for grabs. Earlier, it used to be a face-off between Omar and Sajad, with Congress backing Omar and Sajad gaining support from parties perceived to be close to the BJP. However, the sudden support from people to the jailed leader could be very interesting to see on May 20.
Rashid, who is currently lodged in Tihar jail on UAPA charges, is seen as a potential threat to the electoral prospects of the National Conference and Peoples Conference.
