Engineer Rashid’s party slams NC

A day after Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather nominated a group of MLAs to finalise the draft Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly, Jailed MP Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party on Wednesday slammed the National Conference (NC) for excluding “staunch advocates of Article 370 and 35A” from the committee.

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According to the order, Rather will be the ex-officio chairman of the committee and other nominated members are Mubarik Gul, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Saifullah Mir, Nizam-ud-din Bhat, Pawan Kumar Gupta, Hasnain Masoodi, Ranbir Singh Pathania and Muzaffar Iqbal Khan. It, however, didn’t name any Kashmir-based opposition MLAs.

In a statement, Langate MLA and senior AIP leader Sheikh Khurshid accused NC of deliberately sidelining those committed to restoring Article 370 and 35A.

“NC seems more aligned with the BJP’s agenda than standing with regional parties or addressing the genuine concerns of the people of J&K,” he said.

Khurshid highlighted how AIP was similarly excluded during the so-called PAGD setup. “They know AIP demands constructive measures and accountability on critical issues. Instead of engaging us in dialogue, they deliberately keep us away because we challenge their hollow promises and political compromises,” he said.

He alleged that the inclusion of non-BJP MLAs in the committee was a calculated move to appease political opponents. “This selective representation exposes their hypocrisy and political expediency. NC’s actions are a betrayal of the aspirations of the people,” he said.

Khurshid also invoked the plight of jailed AIP supremo and Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, stating, “The sidelining of genuine representatives, including Engineer Rashid, underscores NC’s unwillingness to engage with leaders who genuinely represent the people’s voice and demand accountability.”

In his order, Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said “the committee shall finalise the draft Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly prior to the commencement of the ensuing Budget session.”