Srinagar, Jun 25 (KNS) : The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) on Thursday conducted a secret ballot across multiple Assembly segments of the Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency to ascertain public sentiment on the proposed resignation of its MP, Er Rashid, who has been in custody since 2019.
Party functionaries confirmed to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) that voting was held in nearly 12 of the 18 Assembly constituencies falling under the parliamentary seat, including Langate, Trehgam, Baramulla, Sonawari, Uri, Pattan, Budgam and Beerwah. The exercise, overseen by specially designated observers, will continue on Friday to cover the remaining segments.
The move comes days after Er Rashid, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail indicated his willingness to step down from the Lok Sabha, citing his inability to effectively represent his constituents from behind bars.
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"The opinion of the people will be the final word on this matter. Whatever verdict they deliver, the party will abide by it," a senior AIP leader told KNS requesting anonymity.
Er Rashid won the Baramulla seat in the 2024 general elections, defeating now Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah.
While the party maintains that the ballot is a democratic exercise to gauge public opinion, political observers view it as a strategic move to consolidate the party's base and highlight the MP's prolonged detention ahead of future electoral battles.
The final count is expected once the voting concludes across all 18 segments. (KNS)