As soon as the bugle of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections was sounded, Congress has become active in the state. Sources related to the party say that the Gandhi family wants former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad to return to the party. For this, senior leaders have been asked to talk to him.
However, Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) spokesperson Salman Nizami said – For the last 2 weeks, false news is going around about Azad joining Congress. Neither he has contacted the Gandhi family nor the Gandhi family has contacted him. These efforts are being made to break the party.
Here, the party is trying to form an alliance with the National Conference (NC) and PDP. The party said that the purpose of forming the alliance is to defeat the BJP. For this, parties with similar ideologies will have to come together.
According to TOI, Congress general secretary Ghulam Ahmed Mir said that for NC and PDP, the state issue should be above personal issues. India Alliance is formed at the national level. In Jammu and Kashmir too, the three parties need to contest the elections together.
The National Conference and the PDP had come together under the Gupkar alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, but later both of them parted ways. The PDP had formed the government in Jammu and Kashmir by forming an alliance with the BJP.
Azad resigned, angry at the ignoring of his recommendations
Ghulam Nabi Azad left the Congress on 26 August. Azad had sent a five-page letter to the party’s interim president Sonia Gandhi as his resignation and had accused her of ignoring his recommendations.
Azad had written- Rahul Gandhi destroyed the mechanism of consultation as soon as he entered the party. Especially after he became the vice-president in January 2013, this system in the party completely stopped.
Ghulam Nabi Azad was part of the G-23 group
Apart from the party, Ghulam Nabi Azad was also a part of the G-23 group, which advocates many big changes in the party. Amidst all those activities, this resignation has raised questions about Ghulam Nabi Azad and his relationship with the Congress.
BJP and Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party may fight elections together
After the announcement of elections, BJP is also trying to bring regional parties and independent leaders of Jammu and Kashmir with it. Home Minister Amit Shah met Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party Vice President Choudhary Zulfkar Ali in Delhi on Saturday (17 August). There is speculation that Zulfkar may join BJP.
6 leaders including Azad can join Congress
Apart from Azad, 5 other leaders can also join Congress. DPAP leader and former Finance Minister Taj Mohiuddin, former MLA Gulzar Ahmed Wani, former MLA Peer Mansoor, former MLA Mohammad Amin Bhat can also join Congress. Apart from these, Mehbooba Mufti’s cousin Sajjad Mufti and Apni Party’s General Secretary Hilal Shah can also join Congress.
Congress appointed Tariq Hamid Karra as the new chief
On the day of announcement of the date of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections (16 August), Congress removed Vikar Rasool from the post of state president. The party appointed Tariq Hamid Karra as the new state president. Along with this, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge appointed Tara Chand and Raman Bhalla as working presidents.
Voting will be held in three phases in Jammu and Kashmir
The Election Commission has announced the dates for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on August 16. Voting will be held in three phases in the state. There are a total of 90 assembly seats here. The majority figure is 46. According to the Election Commission, the gazette notification for the first phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir will start from August 20. The last date for nomination for the first phase will be August 27.