The Lone Wolf

He is a Kashmir Pandit contesting from Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party

- Naseer Ganai

AT Engineer Rashid’s home in Jawahar Nagar in uptown Srinagar, a man sat patiently waiting for him. The man at times shifted his posture, smiling at those who entered the house. Despite Rashid being a Member of Parliament, there was no security, allowing people easy access to his house. But Rashid was not at home; he was busy campaigning after he was released on bail. While others who had come to meet Rashid eventually left, the man kept waiting. “I won’t leave without meeting Rashid Sahab,” he said.

The man introduced himself. “My name is Ashok Kumar Raina, and I’m almost 60. I have a degree in law, but I’m not a practicing lawyer. My expertise lies in drafting petitions,” he said.

Raina was born in the Dooru area of Anantnag, where he initially studied in his village before moving to Srinagar for higher education. His father, Gopi Nath Raina, was also a politician associated with the Congress in the 1960s and 1970s.