In Frames: Er Rashid addresses energetic supporters at first rally after being freed from Tihar

Parliamentarian from north Kashmir and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief, Sheikh Rashid or Er Rashid Thursday morning reached Srinagar.

Just as he landed, Rashid bowed down in gratitude to God. Returning home after more than five years of imprisonment, he said no one needs peace more than the people of Kashmir but “that peace will come at our conditions” and not on the terms set by the Centre.

Rashid walked out of Tihar Jail yesterday after a court in Delhi granted him interim bail till Oct 2 in a case related to alleged terror funding.

The north Kashmir MP then continued his journey to Baramulla where thousands of his supporters, mainly youth were waiting for him to arrive and speak.

Rashid spoke in his signature style amid cheers and massive sloganeering in favour of him by the audience. He kept signalling them to keep calm, as loud slogans kept masking his speech.

Rashid's appearance is expected to compel the traditional parties to change strategies, even as the way he has been able to pull the crowd, analysts say it would be difficult for JKNC, Cong, and PDP to dominate the ground. 

Although JKNC and PDP have alleged Rashid to be BJP's proxy, Rashid distanced himself from everyone.