Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, on Wednesday slammed the BJP and INDIA bloc, alleging that the ruling party at the Centre hits upfront while the opposition grouping stabs in the back.
Wearing a black band on his left arm to register his protest against abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the Baramulla MP also made it clear that his party will contest 35 to 40 seats in Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections and that there will be no coalition with any political party but only with his “inner self”.
Rashid was addressing a press conference after walking out of Tihar Jail on interim bail till October 2 for campaigning in the J&K polls.
“When I went in on August 2, I had a state, Article 370 and Article 35A. Now when I came out there is neither a state, nor Article 370 or 35A, only a charge sheet,” he said about his black band protest.
He said the issue of Article 370 has nothing to do with militancy.
On the accusations from the PDP that he was a proxy for the BJP, Rashid said, “We were in prison for five and half years while they were enjoying themselves. We are dying. They should be ashamed for asking such questions. I came out of death bed but I was not presented as a victim. I remained silent.”
He said the PDP entertained the BJP and formed a government with it. “They become ministers, they form governments, form coalitions. Who the hell are they? People know everything. They have given the verdict. The reason why I was put in jail, that cause is much bigger than the allegations of Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah.”
Making clear that he is a proud Islamist and not radical, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief, who is facing charges of terror funding and was arrested by the National Investigation Agency on August 9, 2019, said, “No Islamist can be radical…I love people of India and believe in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).”