Rashid Backs INDIA Bloc, Urges Article 370 Restoration in First Rally Post-Tihar Jail

Rashid Backs INDIA Bloc, Urges Article 370 Restoration in First Rally Post-Tihar Jail

 
In a significant political development ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, former MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid, commonly known as Engineer Rashid, has declared his support for the INDIA bloc. This announcement came during his first public rally in the Kashmir Valley after being released from Tihar Jail. Rashid has been a vocal advocate for the restoration of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir before its revocation by the central government in August 2019.

Addressing a large crowd in the Valley, Rashid made it clear that his support for the opposition alliance would be conditional. He stated that the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, must pledge to restore Article 370 if they come to power. "I am ready to support them if they promise the people of Jammu and Kashmir that they will bring back what was snatched from us," Rashid emphasized.

His return to the political scene comes after spending over two years in Tihar Jail under charges linked to alleged terror funding. Rashid's release and immediate re-engagement in the political landscape highlight the ongoing significance of Article 370 in the Valley's political discourse.

Meanwhile, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is currently in Moscow, reportedly with a peace plan for the Ukraine conflict. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking on the situation, stated that "India is ready to contribute to global peace efforts." Although details of the plan remain undisclosed, India’s role in international peace mediation could be another major point in the nation's foreign policy direction.

As political dynamics heat up in both national and international arenas, Rashid’s support for the INDIA bloc may influence electoral strategies, particularly in the Kashmir region, where the restoration of Article 370 continues to be a central issue.