Srinagar, Oct 27: Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, on Sunday urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to clarify if discussions during his recent meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah included the restoration of Article 370 and the release of political prisoners.
Rashid, the Awami Ittehad Party chief who defeated Abdullah in Baramulla in the Lok Sabha elections, questioned the specifics of Abdullah’s meetings with key national leaders. “What did Omar Abdullah discuss with the prime minister, the defence minister, and the home minister?” he asked reporters. Rashid pressed Abdullah to confirm whether the restoration of Article 370 and the release of political detainees were raised in these talks, and if so, what responses were received.
Officials reported that Abdullah met with Modi on Thursday, presenting a resolution urging the swift restoration of statehood to the Union Territory. He also met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, seeking support to enhance security and facilitate development in Jammu and Kashmir. On Wednesday, Abdullah apprised Shah of the region’s current situation and discussed restoring statehood.
Expressing conditional support, Rashid stated he would back Abdullah on any initiative that benefits the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He also reminded the chief minister of his pre-election promises, including the provision of 100,000 jobs in the region.
