In a significant political development in Jammu and Kashmir, several key leaders from Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) are reportedly on the brink of rejoining the Congress. The ongoing discussions between these leaders and the Congress Party are in their final stages, with the transition expected to occur soon, according to sources familiar with the matter. The leaders in question include prominent figures like former assembly members Gulzar Wani and Amin Bhat, as well as former ministers Taj Mohi-ud-Din and Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, all of whom had previously contested elections on DPAP tickets or as Independents.
A Shift from DPAP to Congress
The shift of these seasoned political figures from the DPAP to Congress highlights the growing discontent within the party formed by Ghulam Nabi Azad. All four leaders were once high-ranking members of Congress before Azad’s decision to leave the party and form his own political platform in 2022. Their decision to join DPAP was seen as an attempt to provide a viable alternative to the region’s existing political heavyweights, such as the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, the DPAP’s political journey has not been as successful as anticipated. Despite forming with the promise of creating a third force in Jammu and Kashmir, the party has struggled to make significant electoral headway. The DPAP contested the 2022 assembly elections with a modest presence, fielding candidates for 25 seats. Yet, the results were far from favorable—none of the party’s candidates were successful, and most lost their security deposits, indicating a lack of public support for Azad’s new venture.
The DPAP’s Electoral Struggles
The party’s disappointing performance in the assembly elections was a blow to its aspirations of becoming a formidable alternative to the NC and PDP. In fact, the DPAP did not open its account in either the 2019 Lok Sabha elections or the 2022 Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. These poor results have left many of its leaders questioning the future prospects of the party.
The DPAP’s struggles, combined with a growing sense of disillusionment among its leaders, have led to some significant exits. Many within the party have voiced concerns that Ghulam Nabi Azad himself has “lost interest” in the party, further adding to the sentiment that DPAP is not a viable political force. As a result, several of its prominent leaders, once staunch supporters of Azad’s vision, have begun considering their return to Congress, where they had previously enjoyed a strong political base.
Leaders Preparing for the Transition
Among the leaders poised to rejoin Congress are Gulzar Wani, Amin Bhat, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, and Ghulam Mohammad Saroori. These figures were once influential members of Congress, but they switched allegiance to Azad’s party in 2022, a year after Azad ended his five-decade association with the Congress.
Taj Mohi-ud-Din, who served as the treasurer of DPAP before the assembly elections, had already resigned from the party prior to the discussions with Congress. His resignation marked a significant moment, as it showed his growing dissatisfaction with the leadership of DPAP and the lack of political traction the party had gained.
Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, a former Congress minister, and other DPAP leaders have also expressed their intentions to rejoin Congress, citing the party’s long-standing position as a crucial political force in Jammu and Kashmir. These leaders had hoped that the DPAP would provide an alternative to the region’s traditional parties, but after the party’s failure to gain support, they have realized that Congress still remains the most established and influential party in the state.
Congress’s Response and Future Prospects
Jammu and Kashmir Congress Chief Tariq Hameed Karra has confirmed that talks with the former DPAP leaders are ongoing. He mentioned that the leaders who left Azad’s party are in touch with the Congress, and discussions have been held with the high command. “We have discussed the issue with the high command and talks are underway. We will make a decision after taking each case into consideration,” Karra said.
The final decision is expected to come soon, although delays have been attributed to the busy schedules of both the Congress high command and the leaders in question. Karra also expressed that, once the clearance is received from the party’s top leadership, these leaders will be inducted back into the Congress fold.
A senior Congress leader, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained the situation by stating, “They are all former Congress leaders who switched after Azad formed a party. They have realized that it was a waste of time.” This sentiment reflects the growing realization among DPAP’s former leaders that the party has not lived up to its promises, leading them to reconsider their political future.
The Decline of DPAP
Ghulam Nabi Azad’s departure from Congress in 2022 and the subsequent formation of the DPAP were seen as a significant moment in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape. The DPAP was intended to provide an alternative to the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party, two regional giants. However, the party has failed to make significant inroads, and its inability to secure any electoral success has forced many of its key leaders to rethink their association with Azad’s party.
The political scene in Jammu and Kashmir remains fluid, and with leaders returning to Congress, it appears that Azad’s experiment with the DPAP may not be a long-term political force. While some leaders may have hoped for a third political force to challenge the dominance of the NC and PDP, the lack of support for DPAP has led many to conclude that aligning with Congress offers a more stable and influential platform for their political aspirations.
Conclusion
The expected shift of key DPAP leaders back to Congress marks the end of an ambitious political experiment by Ghulam Nabi Azad. While the formation of the DPAP was seen as an attempt to provide an alternative political force in Jammu and Kashmir, the party’s failure to gain traction has led many of its prominent figures to return to the Congress fold. As the talks near completion, it remains to be seen how this shift will impact the political dynamics of the region. For Congress, this move signifies the return of experienced leaders who will likely strengthen the party’s presence in Jammu and Kashmir as it prepares for future elections.
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