Srinagar, June 21 (IANS) Incarcerated Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid on Sunday announced that he will resign from the Lok Sabha as he is not able to attend to the affairs of his constituency, but his Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) said it would consult the people before taking the final call on the issue.

The AIP has decided to seek the opinion of its grassroots cadre regarding the expressed intention of Engineer Rashid to quit the Lok Sabha, citing his inability to effectively reach out to and serve the people who elected him with a massive mandate.

According to a statement issued by AIP chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, the party’s Committee on Political Affairs held detailed deliberations on the issue and resolved to launch a comprehensive consultation process involving party office-bearers and cadres across all 18 Assembly segments of the Baramulla parliamentary constituency. After carefully examining all aspects of the matter, the Committee on Political Affairs decided that party functionaries at different levels would participate in a two-day consultative exercise to deliberate on whether Engineer Rashid should continue as a Member of Parliament or relinquish the position.

He further stated that the party may conduct a secret ballot among its cadres, if required, to ensure that members can express their views freely and without any pressure.

The spokesperson said party office-bearers at the panchayat and block levels would engage with the general public and various sections of society to gather feedback on the issue.

Their final opinion, he added, would reflect the sentiments expressed by the people during the consultation process. “The objective is to ensure that any decision regarding Engineer Rashid’s future as MP is guided by the wishes and aspirations of the people who reposed their trust in him and the party,” Nabi said.

He added that the outcome of the consultations and any subsequent voting process would be formally conveyed to Engineer Rashid, enabling him to take an informed decision on the matter.

Reiterating the AIP’s commitment to internal democracy and public accountability, Nabi said the party firmly believes that major political decisions should be shaped by the collective wisdom of its cadre and the people it represents.

The proposed consultation process is expected to play a crucial role in determining the future course of action regarding Engineer Rashid’s parliamentary position, with the party emphasising that the voices of workers and the electorate will remain central to the final decision.

–IANS

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