(AIP) will aim to bring permanent peace to Kashmir: Engineer Rashid

Oct 01, 2024

Kupwara (J&K), October 1 (ANI): While speaking on the final phase of the J&K polls, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) President Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid said that he hopes an era of reconciliation will begin after the voting. He further added, if power had been his priority he would have joined hands with PM Modi. He said, “The voting percentage has increased because people have been victims of state repression...the voice of the people has been suppressed since the PDP came to power in 2014. People want to express their feelings and they want change because they have understood that they can achieve something only through democratic means. Violence has no place in society...the people of Kashmir have always believed in democracy. They also wanted a democratic solution to the Kashmir issue. I hope an era of reconciliation will begin after the voting…. Why will I join hands with the BJP? Power is a very small thing for me. I was an independent MLA and I would have joined any party. If power had been my priority I would have joined hands with PM Modi. Many people have died in Kashmir...My biggest concern is to make sure that these killings should stop...Priority is how the leadership will work after getting the mandate of the public. Will they like the traditional parties PDP, JKNC, INC, and BJP after winning elections roam like VVIPs...Kashmir has to go beyond that...Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) will aim to bring permanent peace to Kashmir...”