“Earlier, he used to talk about referendums during elections”: Omar Abdullah targets Rashid Engineer

Doda (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 12 (ANI): Targeting Baramulla MP Rashid Engineer over his remarks on ‘Naya Kashmir’, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said on Thursday that earlier, he used to talk about referendums during elections.

Omar also asserted that he wants to hear those slogans from Rashid Engineer, otherwise, it will be believed that he (Rashid) has made a deal with the BJP.

“He (Engineer Rashid) was in jail, how could the correct news reach him. He is a victim of misunderstanding… If he (Engineer Rashid) has come out of jail only to challenge the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a new Kashmir, then what is new in it? Earlier, he used to talk about referendums during elections…I first want to hear those slogans from his mouth, otherwise, I will think that he has made a deal with the BJP,” Omar said.

Meanwhile, after being granted bail, Baramulla MP Rashid Engineer said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Naya Kashmir’ will collapse.

“I will just say that truth will prevail. I hope for the justice. The election is important as Kashmir is at a crucial stage. The people of J&K will successfully fight for justice as they are united. PM Modi’s so-called vision of ‘Naya Kashmir’ will fail,” Rashid Engineer.

The Patiala House Court on Wednesday issued a release order for Rashid Engineer, imposing the condition that he must not speak to the media about the ongoing terror funding case. This followed the interim bail granted to him on Tuesday, ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. Rashid Engineer has been granted interim bail until October 2.

Rashid, who recently won the Baramulla seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by defeating former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, seeks bail as his case progresses.

Notably, the 2024 Assembly elections will mark the first local elections in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. Elections will be held in three phases in September and October – September 18, September 25, and October 1 and the counting of votes will take place on October 8.