Jammu & Kashmir : Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has conceded defeat in the Baramulla Lok Sabha contest and congratulated Engineer Rashid on his likely victory. In a post on X, Abdullah acknowledged the outcome of the election, stating, “I think it’s time to accept the inevitable. Congratulations to Engineer Rashid for his victory in North Kashmir. I don’t believe his victory will hasten his release from prison nor will the people of North Kashmir get the representation they have a right to but the voters have spoken and in a democracy that’s all that matters”.
Engineer Rashid, the jailed leader of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), had been running his campaign from Tihar Jail. His son, Abrar Rashid, led the campaign, which drew thousands of people, particularly the youth, who were drawn to the sympathy factor and the message of fighting against the incarceration of Rashid.
The contest in Baramulla had become intense with Engineer Rashid’s entry, who was running his campaign from jail. His rallies and road shows drew huge crowds, and the sympathy factor resonated with the voters, particularly the youth. The contest had turned into a three-cornered fight between Abdullah, Lone, and Rashid, with Rashid’s campaign gaining momentum in the final days of the election.
The Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, spread over four districts, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, and Budgam, had an electorate of 17.47 lakh voters. The seat was considered a key contest, with Abdullah and Lone being the main contenders. However, Engineer Rashid’s entry added a new dimension to the contest, turning it into a three-cornered contest.
The results of the Lok Sabha elections will be declared on June 4, and Engineer Rashid’s victory is expected to send a strong message to the political establishment in Delhi about the growing discontent among the youth and the need for a more inclusive and democratic approach to governance in Jammu and Kashmir .
Omar Abdullah Concedes Loss, Congratulates Engineer Rashid in Baramulla Lok Sabha Seat
