India, May 21 -- Awami Ittehad Party chief and Baramulla MP Er Rashid on Tuesday hinted at stepping away from electoral politics, saying he was seriously considering not contesting future elections.

Addressing mourners during the funeral of his father at his ancestral village in Mawer Payeen in Handwara, Rashid said, "Those who believe only in vote politics will be happy to hear that I may not contest elections in the future. I am seriously thinking about it, though I have not reached a final conclusion yet and will decide in due course of time."

Earlier in the day, Rashid was released from Tihar Jail on interim bail and travelled directly from Srinagar airport to his native village to participate in the last rites of his father.

In an...