Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 20: Complexion of politics stands changed in the newly carved out Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Political parties which used to aim high in the erstwhile State are today keen on making their presence felt by contesting the District Development Council (DDC) elections.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The mainstream parties in the Valley till August 5, 2019, used to only talk about assembly and parliamentary elections and other polls were not even considered as elections.”
He said, “Now, the times have changed the DDC elections have become some important that Kashmir based parties have joined hands and formed an alliance to contest these polls.”
The analyst said, “These elections are important for the regional parties to make their presence felt and make a comeback. After August 5, 2019, most of the people had written these parties off.”
It’s in place to mention here that the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) led by Dr Farooq Abdullah comprises of Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Conference, Awami National Conference, CPI and CPI (M). The top mainstream leaders of Kashmir have come together to test the waters. The Congress Party despite not being a part of the PAGD has entered into a seat sharing agreement with the alliance.
An observer said, “All the top leaders have come together but the biggest missing link is the former J&K chief minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. He has not shown any interest either in PAGD or the political activities taking place in Jammu and Kashmir. Him remaining aloof has raised many questions.”
It may be recalled that Azad along with many other Congress leaders was dropped from the list of national office bearers of the party earlier this year after him and 20 others had written a letter to the Congress top brass to seek change in party leadership.
After the that development he had even offered to resign from the Congress Party. However, after that All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi side lined the leaders who had apparently raised the banner of revolt against the Gandhi family. Since that day Azad has taken a back seat and has stayed away from the active politics at national level as well as in Jammu and Kashmir.
A politician said, “During the past one year many things have changed and so has the political scenario. The politicians, who used to call shots in the past, are struggling hard to remain relevant but they are putting in best possible efforts to do so. Azad’s absence is being felt but it seems he is staying away due to him being side lined.”
Former J&K CM Azad only missing link in PAGD
