Engineer Rashid Urges J&K Parties to Boycott Government Formation Until Statehood Restored

Awami Ittehad Party Chief and Baramulla MP, Engineer Rashid, on Monday called for unity among the INDIA bloc, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and other regional parties, urging them to refrain from forming a government in Jammu and Kashmir until statehood is restored. Rashid emphasized that his party is prepared to support this stance, asserting that any future government would have limited powers under Union Territory status.

“The next government will be of the Union Territory, with minimal rights. The so-called regional parties in J&K, including the Gupkar alliance, have failed for five years. I urge the INDIA bloc, PDP, Apni Party, and others to come together and refuse to form a government until statehood is regained. Even if one party or alliance secures a majority, it would be beneficial for all parties to pressure the central government to restore statehood. The Awami Ittehad Party is ready to cooperate on this matter,” Rashid said during a press conference.

He also called for the reinstatement of the historic ‘Darbar Move,’ a practice where the J&K government offices would shift biannually between Srinagar and Jammu to strengthen bonds between the two regions. “The Darbar Move fostered cultural and emotional connections between Jammu and Srinagar. Discontinuing it over cost concerns has negatively affected people’s work. My request is that before forming a new government, the Darbar Move tradition should be revived to reinforce unity among the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

The Darbar Move was a bi-annual practice in which the secretariat and other government offices of J&K moved from Srinagar, the summer capital, to Jammu, the winter capital, and back.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened across the Union Territory ahead of the counting day on October 8, with a three-tier security system at counting venues. J&K voted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, and exit polls predict a close race between the National Conference-Congress alliance and the BJP.