NC–BJP Friendly Match Unfolding in Nagrota, Says AIP
Srinagar, Nov 8: Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) today held a detailed media interaction at its headquarters, addressed by State Secretary Sheikh Ashiq and Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi issuing a blistering critique of NC, PDP and BJP in the backdrop of the Budgam by-elections.
Sheikh Ashiq said it is now “absolutely clear to the entire Kashmir that what is happening in Nagrota is a friendly contest between NC and BJP.” He added that Omar Abdullah’s token visit to Nagrota, where he barely spoke for a few moments, “carried a tone that reflected softness toward the BJP rather than opposition.”
Sheikh Ashiq said NC’s entire political and emotional focus remains on Budgam — “not Nagrota, not development, not people’s issues — only Budgam.”
According to him, “NC has again betrayed Budgam by sidelining the constituency and staging a managed show in Nagrota.”
He reiterated that NC brought the Public Safety Act (PSA) to J&K and questioned why after abrogation when all laws were overhauled, “only PSA survived and why NC and PDP continue to remain completely silent on PSAs being slapped on Kashmiris.”
He underlined that since 2019, neither NC nor PDP mounted any joint resistance to the BJP: “None of them want to annoy BJP. Only AIP took the protest to Jantar Mantar for scrapping PSA and demanding the release of prisoners including jailed MP Er Rashid.”
While appreciating Aga Ruhullah’s stand of not supporting or campaigning for NC, Sheikh Ashiq appealed to Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, Jinab Molvi Imran Raza Ansari and Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and their supporters to vote and support AIP candidate Nazir Ahmad Khan for dignity and justice in Budgam.
Responding to questions, Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi explained the circumstances of Er Rashid’s transfer from Jail No. 3 to Jail No. 1: “Engineer Rashid had filed a formal complaint against some jail authorities of Jail No. 3 who were taking bribes from Kashmiri prisoners. Names and amounts were formally conveyed to DG Prisons. After this, the harassment began — attacks, injuries, pressure to withdraw. He never surrendered.” He reiterated AIP’s long-standing demand for a judicial inquiry and said the promise made must now be fulfilled.
Speaking about the political landscape of Budgam, Inam Un Nabi said: “If you vote for NC, PDP or BJP, it is the same. All three candidates belong to the same family. This is the dynasty that has controlled Budgam for 70 years.”
Inam also recalled how the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah betrayed Budgam by abandoning the seat despite securing the highest votes:
“People trusted him but he left Budgam and went back to Ganderbal. This is the history of betrayal.”
AIP leaders urged the people to end decades of exploitation and rally behind Nazir Ahmad Khan, calling it the only path toward justice, political integrity and the restoration of people’s rights.
