Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Jailed Engineer Rashid electrifies phase 5 in Kashmir's Baramulla

The Baramulla parliamentary constituency in north Kashmir, one of the 49 seats voting in the fifth phase of on Monday, May 20, saw a shift in dynamics.

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference (NC) Vice-President Omar Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) chief Sajad Lone were the main contenders until Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, entered the fray. 

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Fayaz Ahmad Mir is also contesting from Baramula seat

Rashid, whose nomination papers from the Baramulla seat were filed on April 29, is contesting the election from behind bars. Rashid's presence, despite being in Tihar jail facing UAPA charges for five years, has stirred the election.

In August 2019, soon after the abrogation of Article 370, Rashid was arrested by the (NIA) in a case of terror funding. Rashid's 26-year-old son, Abrar Rashid, is leading his campaign, drawing large crowds as he travels to seek votes for his jailed father. 

Supported by the , led by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Engineer Rashid's posters, showing him in prison, are commonplace in the election campaign.

“When I go to people, I tell them my father has been in prison for the last five years. I say to them, please vote for him so that his election as a Member of Parliament paves the way for his release," quoted Abrar as saying. 

Baramulla is one of the three seats in the Kashmir division, other than Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri, where the (BJP) has not fielded any candidates. It comprises assembly segments of Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and Budgam districts. Srinagar voted in the fourth phase of polling on May 13, and Anantnag-Rajouri will go to the polls