Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri: Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti trailing. Who is Engineer Rashid?

Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC) was trailing by over 41,220 votes against his nearest rival Sheikh Abdul Rashid (Engineer Rashid).

Updated on: Jun 4, 2024, 11:02:12 IST

By HT News Desk | Edited by Aniruddha Dhar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, two former chief ministers of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, were trailing in their Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituencies, respectively, in the first 2.30 hours of counting on Tuesday, according to the Election Commission of India.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti. (HT File)

Omar Abdullah, the vice president of the National Conference (NC) was trailing by over 41,220 votes against his nearest rival and independent candidate Sheikh Abdul Rashid (Engineer Rashid).

The National Conference leader is locked in a virtual triangular contest for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat with separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajad Gani Lone and Sheikh Abdul Rashid, a former MLA, currently lodged in Tihar jail in a UAPA case.

Mehbooba Mufti, the president of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), who is up against prominent Gujjar and National Conference leader Mian Altaf Ahmad in Anantnag-Rajouri seat, was trailing by over 88,198 votes.

Who is Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid?

Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid is currently lodged in the Tihar Jail in a terror-funding case.
Engineer Rashid, a former two-time MLA who heads the Awami Ittehad Party, was one of 22 candidates in the fray from Baramulla.
Rashid was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019 on charges of terror-funding activities, becoming the first mainstream leader to be held under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
His two sons Abrar Rashid and Asrar Rashid, who led the election campaign for their father, expressed confidence that the massive crowds witnessed in the rallies would turn into votes for Rashid, leading to his release from prison.
Rashid won the Langate assembly segment in 2008 and 2014 and also unsuccessfully contested the 2019 parliamentary elections. While he leads the Awami Ittehad Party, he contested these elections as an Independent.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.