Will file defamation case against Sajad Lone: Engineer Rashid

Kupwara, Sep 17: Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief and Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid Tuesday announced his intention to file a defamation case against People’s Conference (PC) Chairman Sajad Gani Lone.

Rashid accused Lone of falsely claiming that he had been released early from Tihar Jail, calling it an attempt to mislead the public.

“Lone is spreading lies about me, and I will not degrade myself by commenting on his statement,” he said.

Speaking to media persons after addressing a gathering at Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Kupwara, Rashid was greeted by a convoy of supporters.

The procession, which started at Seelu, Sopore, delayed his arrival at the venue by several hours due to the number of vehicles that joined enroute.

About the allegations of his links with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashid dismissed the accusations and said that the National Conference (NC), People’s Conference (PC), and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had all previously formed alliances with the BJP.

“These parties are attempting to smear my reputation out of desperation, but the people of Kashmir know who the real traitors are and who truly represents them,” he said.

Rashid said that the AIP had become a significant voice for the people from Kupwara to Lakhanpur and that voters were turning away from traditional political parties.

“People are tired of the old guard, which is why they are gravitating towards AIP. We have emerged as a credible alternative, and I am confident that we will achieve substantial success in the upcoming assembly elections,” he said.

Rashid thanked the people of Kupwara for voting in his favour in large numbers in the parliament polls.

Rashid returned to his home district Kupwara for the first time after he was released from Tihar Jail recently on interim bail.