Srinagar, June 4: In a shocking turn of events, jailed politician Er. Rashid Sheikh, also known as Abdul Rashid Sheikh, has secured a landslide victory in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, defeating political heavyweights Omar Abdullah and Sajad Gani Lone. Despite being incarcerated for nearly five years on alleged money laundering charges, Er. Rashid garnered a staggering 472,481 votes, outpacing his nearest rival, Omar Abdullah, by a massive margin of 204,142 votes.
The victory of the jailed politician has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, with many hailing it as a resounding mandate from the people of Baramulla. Er. Rashid’s campaign, spearheaded by his son Abrar Rashid, gained significant traction, rallying support from various sections of society, including former leaders of the DPAP like Shoaib Nabi Lone.
While Omar Abdullah acknowledged the verdict of the voters, he expressed scepticism about Er. Rashid’s victory hastened his release from prison or ensuring adequate representation for the people of North Kashmir. Sajad Gani Lone, who secured 173,239 votes, graciously accepted defeat, acknowledging the people’s choice.
In other significant developments, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) emerged victorious in the Srinagar and Anantnag constituencies, with Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Mian Altaf Ahmad defeating their respective PDP candidates. The BJP, on the other hand, retained its stronghold in the Jammu and Udhampur segments, with Dr. Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore defeating their Congress rivals.
In Ladakh, Haji Mohammad Hanifa emerged victorious, securing the lone seat by garnering 65,259 votes, surpassing the INC and BJP candidates.
Er. Rashid’s victory has sparked discussions about the implications of an incarcerated politician winning a parliamentary seat and the potential for his release. Many politicians in Jammu and Kashmir have called upon the Government of India to reciprocate the people’s mandate and facilitate Er. Rashid’s release, enabling him to interact with and serve his constituents.
The election results have reshaped the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, with the unexpected triumph of Er. Rashid serving as a testament to the power of the people’s voice in a democratic setup.
Add a comment
