news details |
|
|
| Er. Abdul Rashid Sheikh, created space for himself | | |
Sandeep Bhat
Early times Report
Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh, an independent candidate, who won from Langate constituency has created space for himself in the political spectrum of J&K. The most vocal legislator who forcefully raised the issues of his constituency in the current budget Assembly. A young independent candidate has made a difference by defeating veterans, even as the sitting MLA as pushed out of contest. Abdul Rashid Sheikh 43, has defeated Mohammad Sultan Panditpuri of PDP while Sharief-ud-Din Sharief the 2002 winner, stood third Shariq of the NC won the Assembly constituency in 2002 elections when he defeated his nearest rival Panditpuri of PDP by a margin of 2400 votes. Shariq polled 8058 votes out of the total 26,717 votes polled. Panditpuri polled 5,658 votes. The total poll percentage was recorded at 53.97. Er. Abdul Rashid talked to ET correspondent in office. Some of the excerpts.
An engineer by profession before elected as legislator Er. Rashid was the only MLA who took oath in Kashmiri language. He did his B.Sc in the year 1987-88 from Degree college Sopore with distinction and diploma in civil engineering in 1991 with first division. In 1993 he was appointed in JKPCC as assistant manager and was promoted to deputy manager in 1997 and further got promoted as AEE in 2001-2002. He was one of the pioneers who raised voice against the excesses of militants and security forces and became the victim of militancy in June 1994 where he was beaten brutally and was admitted in bone and joint hospital in Srinagar. In 1996 he started writing and around 400 articles had been published in Weekly Chattan, Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Uzma, Italat, Kashmir Images and others. Many of the articles have been reproduced in Pak occupied Kashmir (POK) news papers and magazines. The famous writer AG Noorani has quoted him in different magazines and national newspapers like Frontline, Hindustan Times, Financial Times etc. He has been expelled four times by his father from his house and remained lonely for many times. He always enjoys the sufferings and raises voice whenever he sees any person in trouble. In 1998, he got married to a simple and poor girl from his constituency and is living happily with her. He has also been suspended three times from his service. Late Abdul Gani Lone is his role model whom he considered as the towering politician of Kashmir who had a vision of resolving long pending Kashmir issue.
He has filed 24 cases in state human right commission against militants and security forces and in 2003 he led a protest of 15000 people against the custodial killing. He also worked as a labourer (porter) with Army for many years and has demanded compensation. Strongly advocated the ban on inter-district recruitment he said that the present assembly should pass the bill in its original form as it gives the local of the area preference regarding employment. He is not against any community but equally strongly raising voice against discrimination of his people. During his service he has never taken a leave and force to sell 7 marlas of land to give bribe of rupees one lakh to get released from Jail where he spent 4 months. It is pertinent to mention that he was arrested on 21st Nov 2005. He led several demonstrations against the government and remained with their hapless people to get their justice. As legislator he did many development works which include road connectivity, better health care, drinking water and many others. As for his constituency Langate is concerned he said this has remain backward from the last 60 years and no preference has been given to this backward area in terms of development and other activities. People of his area always stood with him as was visible in current budget session when Kupwara Bachao movement gave a bandh call. He was many a times thrown out of the assembly by the marshalls but this also does not deter him raising voices against the discrimination. He really has created a space for himself.
Electoral Background
Langate constituency was created in 1997 and first time went to elections that year. It has all along remained a stronghold of National Conference. Abdul Gani Mir of National Conference won the Assembly constituency while as in 1977Mohammad Syultan Ganai also of National Conference represented the constituency. NC candidate Abdul Ahad Wani represented in the constituency in 1983 and 1996 elections. Langate was one among the two assembly constituencies in Kashmir valley where Peoples Democratic Party won first time ever. It was after the assassination of sitting MLA Abdul Ahad Wani, who had won in 1996 that this constituency went to by-polls and Mohammad Sultan Panditpuri of Peoples Democratic Party won.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
