BJP's 'Mission Kashmir' received a major boost on Thursday when the architect of Save Afzal Guru' resolution Sheikh Abdul Rasheed aka Engineer Rasheed expressed readiness to support the saffron party if they show commitment to resolve the Kashmir issue
Who is Engineer Rasheed?
He is an independent MLA from Langate constituency of border district of Kupwara. Rasheed, who quit his job as government engineer to contest elections in 2008 as an independent candidate, hogged the limelight in September 2011 when he brought the controversial 'Save Afzal Guru' resolution in the J&K Legislative Assembly seeking amnesty to the parliament attack convict.
Engineer Rasheed, who now heads Awami Ittihad Party, contested last parliamentary polls from Baramulla constituency which he eventually lost.
Is he warming up to BJP?
Rasheed, who is known for his soft separatism traits and tenacious opinion about Kashmir issue, met former RSS spokesman and BJP leader Ram Madhav and discussed the political and poll situation with him. "Yes I met Ram Madhav. He made a request that I want to meet you. Being in politics and being a Kashmiri I met him. I can meet anybody it is not an issue. I told him that we are in distress for the last 60 to 70 years and you should help us in getting out of this trouble. I told him being rulers at centre, you have more responsibility," he told dna.
Why is BJP interested in meeting Rasheed and others?
BJP has embarked on Mission 44 plus to come to power in Jammu and Kashmir. They have realised that they cannot win 44 seats on their own in the 89 member (two of them nominated) house to form the government and therefore they need allies. That it why they have embarked on Mission Kashmir trying to rope in smaller parties and individual leaders.
Even one member could be crucial for forming the government in fractured mandate. Therefore BJP is doing ground work before the first vote is cast in order to set the stage for any post poll alignment.
Is Rasheed ready to support BJP?
"Obviously I will seek commitment because we are dying. Kashmir has been turned into graveyard. If they (BJP government) will make firm commitment that they will resolve Kashmir issue and you know what I mean by resolving: That all three parties must be taken into confidence and they will not be hostile to militants and Pakistan because at the end of the day talks are the only solution. I will love to support. It should not be commitment on the papers it should look they are sincere in resolving the issue," said Rasheed.
What else he wants from the BJP?
"As common Kashmiri they should not resort to war mongering with Pakistan because it creates problems for us. It is to better to talk to militant leadership because we have talked to people in Nagaland, Punjab and elsewhere. Let centre help," he said
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