Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 6: While warning National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah of another defeat in the Assembly elections, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) today termed the landslide victory of Er. Abdul Rashid from the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat a testament to his sincere efforts and struggle to restore the democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference, the AIP leaders, while reacting to the statements made by Omar, after facing defeat with over 2 lakh votes, advised him to introspect on his defeat and “be prepared for another historical defeat in the Assembly elections.”
“Endorsement of an article regarding the rise of secessionist elements by Er Rashid’s win is nothing but indirectly indulging in mudslinging. This is complete frustration over his defeat. Instead of gracefully accepting his defeat, he has started a vilification campaign against the people’s mandate,” the AIP leaders said.
Senior party leaders, Showkat Ahmad Zargar, Nazir Ahmad Moon, Aijaz Khan, and Er Munir Khan, including its Chairman (PAC), Ishtiyaq Qadri, were present during the press conference.
They said that the NC must remember that it was the “doubtful elections” of 1987 that gave rise to secessionism, proving disastrous and leading to death and destruction, which persists even today.
“Er. Rashid has a record of public service and has stood by the rights of the people of J&K. His victory is an endorsement of his struggle and a testament to his sincere efforts to restore the democratic rights of the people.”
AIP said that such “misleading endorsements” only expose the designs of those who want to perpetually rule by proxy. “AIP is extremely thankful to the Election Commission of India and the local administration for conducting free and fair polls, thus defeating the nefarious designs of habitual offenders,” the party leaders said.
Ishtiyaq Qadri, party’s Chairman, PAC, said they were not involved in the fight between the two parties-NC and Peoples Conference-and that things only went south when the AIP declared it would win with a thumping majority.
“Until then, we were not part of the conflict; it was between the two parties, and both were praising us. When we talked about winning, it made Omar nervous. We know why he is doing all this; he better worry about the Assembly elections,” he said.