Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad urged the Centre to allow Engineer Rashid to take oath as a Member of Parliament.
Mr Rashid, in jail since 2019 after being charged in a terror-funding case, defeated former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from Baramulla as an Independent candidate in the recent elections.
In a statement today, Mr Azad said, “As Engineer Rashid secured a decisive victory in the Lok Sabha polls with overwhelming public support, the government should acknowledge the mandate and allow him to take the oath. His constituents in the four districts of Kashmir deserve representation without delay. If the law permitted his candidacy, it should equally permit his full participation in parliamentary proceedings.
“His family and followers have been in pain for the last five years as Rashid remains in jail. I must appreciate his two sons who campaigned for their father and ensured his victory in the Lok Sabha elections. People voted for him in large numbers, showing their belief in the Constitution. Therefore, the government must release him and allow him to take his oath, considering these factors," he said.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Jailed J&K MP Engineer Rashid Can Take Oath: Anti-Terror Agency NIA Jailed Baramullah MP Forced To Sit Out During Lok Sabha Oath Ceremony Blog: Blog | Understanding Jailed Leader Engineer Rashid's Win In Kashmir BJP Alleges Rahul Gandhi Insulted Hindus, He Responds With RSS Jab Indian-Origin Woman, 24, Dies On Qantas Flight From Melbourne To New Delhi Key Features Of India's 3 New Criminal Laws They Burst Crackers To Celebrate India's T20 Win. It Killed A 5-Year-Old IIT Roorkee To Organise GATE 2025, Check Full Details On CCTV, Congress Leader's Brother Shot Dead In Haryana's Faridabad Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.