Srinagar: A day after defeating major contenders in north Kashmir, Awami Ittehad Party patron Er Rashid expressed gratitude to the people for electing him from the Baramulla Lok Sabha segment stating that it's not just his victory but the victory of the people, and he pledged to continue being the voice of the voiceless.
In a social media post, his lawyer conveyed Er Rashid's message, stating, “Er Rashid had a message for the media – He asked me to convey his regards to the people of J&K for electing him. He says it is the victory of the people and not his alone. He reiterated his commitment to fight for the rights of the people of J&K in a democratic manner and to continue advocating for the voiceless. He also mentioned that the margin by which he won is a testament to his innocence in the case lodged against him (sic.).”
The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), which resonated with the public during its extensive campaigning aimed at seeking the release of its party patron, now faces the challenge of charting its future strategy amid uncertainty over the fate of its leader.
Er Rashid, who garnered a total of 472481 votes, secured victory over his nearest rival, Omar Abdullah, by a margin of 204142 votes. Similarly, Sajad Gani Lone, who received a total of 173239 votes, trailed by 299242 votes behind the AIP patron in the results announced on Tuesday.
(GNS)