Dynamic Political Shifts: Leaders From Jammu and Kashmir’s Azad Party Rejoin Congress
In a significant political development, over 20 leaders hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, most of whom were associated with Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), made a conspicuous return to the Congress. This political realignment unfolded in the presence of the Congress party’s top leadership, including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge. The event also witnessed the Congress taking a critical stance against Azad, further accentuating the intricate dynamics of the political landscape.
As the Opposition party welcomed the returning leaders, it did not refrain from launching a pointed attack on Azad. The Congress criticized his recent remarks, where he stated that those opposing the abrogation of Article 370 were “ignorant of the situation on the ground.” This stark shift in Azad’s stance drew sharp criticism from within the Congress itself. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, expressed his astonishment, noting that Azad had played a prominent role in opposing the abrogation of Article 370 in the Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2019. Ramesh further questioned the basis of Azad’s new position, suggesting a need for justification given his extended stay in New Delhi after exiting Parliament.
The return of Jammu and Kashmir leaders to the Congress was marked by a formal event attended by Congress President Kharge, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal, AICC in-charge of the state Rajani Patil, and Jammu and Kashmir Congress Chief Vikar Rasool Wani. Among the notable leaders rejoining the Congress was Yashpal Kundal, an ex-Minister and a two-time legislator from the Panthers Party. Kundal, who previously held the position of Chief of the SC/ST and OBC Department of AAP in Jammu and Kashmir, made his transition to the Congress.
Haji Abdul Rashid Dar, a former Vice President of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) who had later joined Azad’s party, also chose to return to the Congress fold. This reunion reflects the nuanced ebb and flow of political affiliations in the region.
The list of returning leaders is comprehensive, including individuals from various parties such as DPAP, Apni Party, and AAP. The roster includes names like Naresh K Gupta, Sham Lal Bhagat, Namrata Sharma, Saima Jan, Shahjehan Dar, Farooq Ahmad, Taranjit Singh Toni, Gazanfar Ali, Santosh Majotra, Rajni Sharma, Nirmal Singh Mehta, Madan Lal Chalotra, Hamit Singh Batti, Ramesh Pandotra, Vaid Raj Sharma, Mandeep Chowdhary, Nazir Ahmed Auqab, Maheshvar Vishwakarma, and Jung Bahadur Sharma.
This move signifies a broader trend of leaders who had departed from the Congress to join Azad’s party, only to make their way back to the grand old party since then. The political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir continues to be dynamic, marked by fluid affiliations and shifting alliances. The convergence of these leaders underscores the intricate and complex nature of political choices, highlighting the strategic considerations and ideological alignments that shape the region’s political tapestry.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 8th August 2023
