SRINAGAR: Awami Itehad Party of the incarcerated Engineer Rasheed is gradually emerging into a new family-led political party. Sheikh Khurshid, Rasheed’s brother has resigned as a government employee and is building his brother party with his two nephews – Abrar and Asrar.
Rasheed wave dominated the Lok Sabha elections in north Kashmir as a result of which Omar Abdullah lost with a huge margin and Sajad Gani Lone, ended at distant No 3. Though his only activity a post-election has been to take oath of office as MP on the directions of the court, Rasheed has emerged a popular politician in absentia in Kashmir. Now the party is getting new recruits, some of them from the established political parties.
“As far as I know, Sheikh Khursheed is contesting from Langate to retain the family seat,” one party insider said. “There is possibility that a son may also contest but I am unsure right now.”
Sources said the people who were expecting mandate but were refused are getting into AIP. Today, Dr Harbaksh Singh, a senior leader and DDC member from Tral has resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the Awami Itehad Party (AIP).
In Zainpora, Aijaz Mir, the erstwhile lawmaker of the PDP has also resigned from his party. He said he was shocked to hear about the change in the party offering a mandate to another person. “I have been loyal to the party at huge personal cost,” Mir told a group of people, perhaps within his own courtyard. The party made Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani in charge of the Wachi constituency that was represented by Mir.
Mir is tipped to join the AIP, reports said.
Meanwhile, Suhail Bukhari, chief spokesperson of the PDP, has quit the party. Reports indicate that Bukhari was upset at not being given the mandate to contest the upcoming polls. He had hoped to stand as a candidate for the Wagoora-Kreeri constituency, but the return of former minister Basharat Bukhari to the PDP last month reduced his chances of securing the ticket. Reports also suggest that Suhail may be joining Engineer Rashid’s Awami Itehad Party (AIP).
Reports from Kupwara said that after Haq Khan returned to PDP, the party’s in-charge of the Lolab constituency is also leaving the party.