BJP, Congress Running Parliament Like a Two-Party System: MP Er Rashid
Condemned Assassination attempt on Dr Farooq Abdullah
13/03/2026
New Delhi, March 13 (KIP)- Member of Parliament from Baramulla Engineer Rashid delivered a sharp and sarcastic speech in Parliament, raising concerns over termination of employees by LG of JK, the condition of Jammu and Kashmir’s fruit industry and various governance issues affecting the region.
During his intervention, MP Er Rashid remarked that smaller parties and independent members often struggle to get speaking time in Parliament, alleging that the two major national parties dominate the proceedings. “There are 240 members of BJP, around 100 members of Congress and the rest are over 200 members, but these two parties have virtually held everyone hostage. It looks like a two-party system like America where others are not allowed to speak,” he said.
The Baramulla MP Er Rashid thanked the Union Finance Minister for responding to his written demands even while he was in jail. “I want to thank the Finance Minister Madam Nirmala Sitaraman. Even while I was in jail, I had written the demands of my people and she wrote back assuring that work would be done on them,” he said.
Taking a sarcastic dig at the government over economic packages announced for Jammu and Kashmir after 2019, MP Er Rashid said the region had received “unique packages.” Referring to restrictions on social media, he remarked “Running social media costs money and time. In Kashmir if someone writes something on social media the police arrest him, so people have stopped using it. Our money is saved. This is also a package for us.”
Highlighting unemployment in the region, the MP said Jammu and Kashmir had the highest unemployment rate in the country according to government data. He added sarcastically: “You have found a very good method to remove unemployment. Every month our LG Sahib is terminating employees. Like the slogan ‘Garibi Hatao’, this has become ‘Mulazim Hatao’.”
Er Rashid also criticised policies affecting the horticulture sector, calling it the backbone of Kashmir’s economy. He said increased imports of foreign fruit were hurting local growers. “Our fruit industry is our backbone. Instead of protecting it, you increased imports of foreign fruit, which has damaged and ruined our own fruit industry. This is another package for us.”
Referring to the recent firing incident targeting Farooq Abdullah in Jammu, he questioned the security situation in the region. “You say everything is peaceful in Kashmir. Yesterday in broad daylight shots were fired at Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahib. Thank God he survived. If a leader like him is not safe, where does the safety of an ordinary citizen stand?” he asked.
The MP also highlighted basic issues such as lack of drinking water and electricity in several areas of North Kashmir. “Even today people in Pattan and Magam (Berwah) are craving for water and areas like Keran, Tanghdar continue to face electricity shortages,” he said.
MP Er Rashid further urged the government to expedite important infrastructure projects including tunnels connecting remote areas. He expressed gratitude for certain approved projects but requested more attention to connectivity in remote regions that remain cut off for months during winter.
Raising another concern, the Baramulla MP referred to Kashmiri students facing legal action in Rajasthan “Seventeen Kashmiri students in Mewat University have been booked under FIRs and detained only for demanding recognition of their university. What is their fault?” he asked.
Towards the end of his speech, Er Rashid also commented on India’s foreign policy approach and the government’s reaction to protests in Kashmir over the reported killing of Iranian leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khomenaie. “You speak about big international issues and relations with America. But when people in Kashmir came out to mourn Ayatollah Syed Ali Khomenaie, you used lathis, tear gas and put people in jails. Please show a big heart and release those detained,” he said.
His remarks triggered reactions in the House as he concluded his intervention by urging the government to reconsider its approach towards Kashmir and address the grievances of the people.