Khursheed Ahmed Sheikh is emerging as a significant candidate in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. As the younger brother of Engineer Rashid, a jailed Member of Parliament and founder of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), Khursheed's entry into politics is seen as a strategic move to capitalise on his brother's political legacy. 

 

Khursheed, who resigned from his position as a government teacher, is contesting from the Langate constituency, a seat previously held by Engineer Rashid during his two terms in office. This constituency has historical significance, having been a stronghold for various parties, including the National Conference and the PDP. 

 

Khursheed's campaign slogan, "Jail ka badla vote se", aims to resonate with voters who supported his brother against Omar Abdullah in recent Lok Sabha elections. Khursheed Ahmed Sheikh is locked in a heated battle against Irfan Panditpuri, the candidate from the People's Conference (PC) and son of former MLA Mohammad Sultan Panditpuri. Irfan's father was a prominent figure in Langate's political scene, and Irfan's recent victory in the 2020 district development council (DDC) elections has further strengthened his position in the area.