Former Sadar-e-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Karan Singh, described the victory of jailed leader Er Abdul Rashid over former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat as “dramatic.” Singh noted that had Omar contested from Srinagar, he would have played an important role in Parliament.
Speaking to KNO, a news gathering agency, Dr. Singh described Engineer Rashid’s victory in the Baramulla parliamentary seat as “dramatic.” He stated, “Winning with such a huge margin was a clear message that people were not happy with the BJP and its policies.” The veteran leader, expressed uncertainty about whether Rashid, currently detained under UAPA, would be released from jail. However, he emphasized that the election result unequivocally signaled public dissatisfaction with the ruling party.
Dr. Singh voiced strong concerns about Jammu and Kashmir’s current status. “By removing Article 370, the central government has made Jammu and Kashmir junior to states like Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand,” he asserted. Highlighting the region’s unique historical significance, he added, “Today, Jammu and Kashmir is completely different from the time of the Maharaja. We had a very special place, which is no longer there.”
Regarding the upcoming elections, Dr. Singh was particularly critical. “The first need now is to restore statehood and hold elections. Elections for a Union Territory are like holding elections for a glorious municipal council,” he remarked, underscoring the diminished status of the region. The veteran politician also commented on recent security challenges, stressing the importance of addressing terror incidents in the Jammu division and thwarting attempts to create communal divides.
In his assessment of the political landscape, Dr. Singh criticized Omar Abdullah’s decision to contest from Baramulla instead of Srinagar. “Omar should have contested from Srinagar; he would have played an important role in Parliament,” he opined. Reflecting on his own political journey, Dr. Singh recalled his experiences as the son of Maharaja Hari Singh and his electoral history, including multiple victories in Udhampur and a loss in Jammu as an independent candidate in 1984.
Dr. Singh concluded by praising the Congress party’s recent performance in the Lok Sabha elections, noting the expansion of the India alliance, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. “The Congress has increased its number of seats from 52 to 99, thanks to the alliance with the Samajwadi Party. It will take some more time for the formation of India to adjust, but it will definitely adjust,” he stated.
