The Remarkable Journey of MP Abdul Rashid, AKA Engineer Rashid
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) recently granted permission for newly-elected Member of Parliament (MP) Abdul Rashid, better known as Engineer Rashid, to take his oath of office on July 5. This decision comes after his victory over former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 as an independent candidate.
However, the consent from NIA comes with certain conditions, one of which includes refraining from interacting with the media. The Patiala House Court in New Delhi will be making a final ruling on this matter on July 2, Tuesday.
Engineer Rashid’s journey to becoming an MP has been nothing short of extraordinary. Despite being in jail since 2019 facing charges in a terror-funding case, he managed to secure a win in the elections while contesting from Tihar jail. His two sons led his campaign, which started just two weeks before the Baramulla constituency voted in the fifth polling phase on May 20.
Initially, a close aide of slain Hurriyat leader and JKPC founder Abdul Gani Lone, Engineer Rashid went on to become a two-time MLA from the Langate seat in north Kashmir before venturing into mainstream politics. His victory as an independent candidate in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 comes as a significant milestone in his political career.
Having missed the oath-taking ceremony for the newly-elected MPs of the 18th Lok Sabha, Engineer Rashid eagerly awaits the special permission from the NIA to take his oath as an MP and serve the people to the best of his abilities.
