In the world of Kashmir politics, just when you think you’ve seen it all, the plot thickens. And who else but Engineer Rashid could stir the pot mere days before the assembly elections in Jammu Kashmir? Released on bail after five years in Tihar Jail, Rashid is expected to shake things up. Not just a man, but a force of nature—or so his supporters claim—his return is like the cliffhanger in a soap opera that keeps you glued to the screen. Except, this isn’t fiction. It’s the highly unpredictable, often surreal world of Kashmir’s electoral politics.
For those unfamiliar with Engineer Rashid and those who have failed to see Kashmiri political spectrum converted into a social media meme, let’s just say he’s not your average candidate. He didn’t just win against former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in 2024; he won by a staggering two lakh votes. One of the biggest reasons for Engineer Rashid’s victory was his son rallying people with the slogan: “Vote for my dad, and let’s break him out of jail!” It worked like magic, grabbing attention across Kashmir.
And in a place where social media is nothing short of biblical scripture, the campaign practically wrote the new gospel of public opinion. One of the apostles of this movement? Mudasir Ahmed, a research scholar who decided that the best way to show support was to walk barefoot from Shopian to Langate—because nothing says “dedicated supporter” quite like giving up shoes!
Now, Mudasir and a growing chorus of critics, including Rafiq Bhat, have been pointing fingers at the Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) for allegedly selling mandates, playing the nepotism card, and tossing their founding principles out the window like a bad plot twist. Recently, rallies have been shrinking faster than Kashmir’s winter snow, and former supporters are turning into critics quicker than you can say “political fallout.” But hold your popcorn; this is far from the final act.
After spending over five years in Tihar Jail under the UAPA, Engineer Rashid’s release has everyone buzzing: Is this the unexpected comeback of the century, or just the next episode in a political soap opera that’s yet to reach its dramatic climax? Stay tuned, because if you thought the plot was thick before, just wait until you see what comes next.
While Kashmir is embracing its unpredictability, Jammu is, shall we say, more consistent. Congress, struggling to hold onto whatever remains of its past glory, is barely putting up a fight against the BJP’s ultra-nationalist rhetoric. Ram Madhav confidently predicts the BJP will take 30 out of the 43 seats in Jammu, leaving the Congress to play the role of a neglected sidekick. Anti-incumbency? Sure, it’s there. But until inflation and unemployment become more than just footnotes in speeches, Jammu’s voters seem content with sticking to the familiar saffron hue. Besides, Jammu politics has always been a straightforward affair: black, white, and a whole lot of orange.
Engineer Rashid’s brand of politics is anything but boring. Known for his fiery rhetoric and populist theatrics, his campaign has often been built on issues that resonate deeply with the common man. Human rights abuses? He’s the guy to call them out. Accountability for Kashmir’s troubles? He’s got a megaphone for that. He’s always positioned himself as the man who understands the pain of the average Kashmiri—because, well, he was one. From being an engineer to becoming a political juggernaut, Rashid’s narrative is one that makes even Bollywood scripts seem tame or at least so for Kashmir’s social media content creators.
His party, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), is coming out swinging. Their manifesto? A jail-free J&K, the revocation of controversial laws like the Public Safety Act and UAPA, and a promise to return governance to the people. Simple, right? Well, not really. But his fiery speeches and his emphasis on a plebiscite have always been crowd-pullers, especially for the youth who see him as the only candidate brave enough to say what others won’t. And now, he’s back to say it again—louder and with more zeal, after five years of enforced silence.
Of course, his release isn’t without controversy. Omar Abdullah believes Rashid’s re-entry is timed perfectly to fracture the already fragmented vote bank in Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti has often hinted that Rashid might be a pawn in the BJP’s larger game of chess, designed to split votes and allow the BJP to sneak in through the cracks. Could it be true? Well, in the circus that is J-K politics, anything’s possible. One thing is certain though: Engineer Rashid is back in the game, and the rules just changed.
As for his grand return? Supporters are preparing for nothing short of a hero’s welcome. AIP leader Shoaib Lone declared, “The tiger is back.” If Kashmir politics were a wildlife documentary, Rashid would indeed be the tiger prowling through the tall grass, waiting for his moment to pounce. Will his roar be enough to reshape the landscape? Only time will tell.
Until then, grab your popcorn. Because as Kashmir heads into these long-anticipated elections, the script is still being written—one bail hearing at a time.