NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid has denied claims that he acts as a ‘proxy for the BJP’, asserting that his electoral triumph in the general elections was a reflection of the public’s opposition to the Modi government’s ‘
Naya Kashmir
‘ initiative.
In an interview with PTI videos, Rashid, known as
Engineer Rashid
, said that those accusing him of being a BJP proxy should be “ashamed of themselves,” as he considers himself the sole mainstream leader to have faced persecution from the ruling party.
“The people who accuse me of being a BJP proxy should feel ashamed. I am the only one who was victimised by the BJP. While Omar and Mehbooba were kept in SKICC for several months during the abrogation, I was the only MLA jailed in Tihar,” he said.
Rashid also criticized former chief ministers Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC) and Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that both failed the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the aftermath of the central government’s abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
“He (Abdullah) could neither become (Mahatma) Gandhi nor Subash Chandra Bose and same way Mehbooba neither became (queen) Razia Sultan nor Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar. They are puppets, rubber stamps…” Rashid, who defeated Abdullah in the Baramulla Lok Sabha seats by over two lakh votes, said.
Rashid, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019 on charges related to terror funding, was granted interim bail on September 10 to campaign for the candidates of his Awami Itehad Party until October 2.
The Lok Sabha MP expressed pride in the resilience of the Kashmiri people and attributed his victory to the work he did in Langate and the sentiment he represented on their behalf inside the assembly.
Rashid criticised the central government’s actions, particularly the abrogation of Article 370, saying that it was a vote against the atrocities inflicted on him and every Kashmiri.
Rashid said that the people’s commitment to their rights and identity remains strong, making it clear that the BJP-led government’s vision of “Naya Kashmir” is not acceptable to them.
He expressed frustration over the Centre’s actions and questioned its motives, highlighting his personal hardships and separation from his family for years.
Rashid said that the BJP has achieved its goals, including the abrogation of Article 370, and warned that any collaboration with the central government could lead to further losses for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, he pointed out Omar Abdullah’s history of aligning with the BJP and Mehbooba’s party acting as a launch pad for BJP policies.
Targeting Abdullah, Rashid said, “While Omar plays golf and enjoys holidays abroad, he has never called for a peaceful protest against the abrogation of Article 370.” He also criticised him for participating in rallies for leaders like Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is facing corruption charges.
He referred to Abdullah as the “Prince of Gupkar,” suggesting that the leader of the ‘Gupkar alliance’ was disconnected from the ground realities faced by the people.
With a political career spanning over a decade, including significant time spent in jail, Rashid asserted his readiness to account for his actions and urged those who have “misled” the people of Kashmir to take responsibility for the ongoing struggles faced by the community.
