JK Assembly Election 2024: As the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are approaching, the trend of division between political parties is gaining momentum. This process has started with the announcement of elections. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the second largest regional party in Jammu and Kashmir, suffered two major setbacks one after the other on Tuesday. PDP chief spokesperson Suhail Bukhari and DDC member Harbaksh Singh from Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have resigned.
PDP insiders said that the reason behind Bukhari’s resignation was to give ticket to Basharat Bukhari from Wagura Kriri assembly constituency. Speaking to reporters after resigning, Suhail Bukhari said that in 2019, when all the leaders were leaving PDP because of BJP’s intentions, I tried to strengthen the ideology of this party in the last 5 years. He said that those who were with the party during difficult times are being sidelined. Their sacrifices are being ignored.
He said that the most difficult thing was that people who were working for the party under difficult circumstances were not even asked for suggestions in the entire process. These are disappointing circumstances. Bukhari said, ‘The principles with which I joined this party are going astray. I feel uncomfortable in this environment. For this reason I have sent my resignation to party president Mehbooba Mufti. I am resigning from the membership and position of this party with immediate effect.
DDC member Harbaksh has also resigned
PDP’s DDC member Harbaksh has also resigned. According to sources, Harbaksh was upset after Rafiq Ahmed Naik, son of former Tral minister Ali Mohammad Naik, was inducted into the PDP. A senior PDP leader resigned from the party and joined the Awami Ittehad Party. He said that he did not leave the party because he was not given a mandate, but because he was a senior leader, he was not taken into confidence. He said that despite giving 14 years to PDP, he was not informed about the decision taken by the party for Tral seat.
He alleged that both PDP and NC have always neglected the minority community. He hoped that AIP would not repeat such things. Singh said that he is against the policy of PDP in which he only thinks about his family. He said, ‘I have always worked for the welfare of people and will continue to do so.’
Panic over the release of the list of constituency in-charges
There was a stir in the party when the PDP announced the list of Constituency (Prakash) in-charges on Monday. While he suffered a major setback on Tuesday, many senior party leaders appeared upset with the party after the list was released. According to sources, no leader was consulted before announcing the list of light in-charges. Some were removed from their areas and put in charge of other areas. According to information received, the disgruntled leaders include Ejaz Mir, Abdul Rahman Veeri and some other leaders.
Also Read- Who is Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, who is going to contest elections for the first time?
The PDP has made Rehman Veeri in-charge of Anantnag East constituency from Bijbehra, while former MLA Ejaz Mir has been removed from Wachi and given the charge to Ghulam Moiuddin Wani. At the same time, Mehbooba has brought her daughter Iltija Mufti into the political arena and declared her in charge of Bijbehra constituency. According to experts, constituency in-charges are usually potential candidates from those areas, although there is room for variation.
Zafar Iqbal Manhas may join Congress
Meanwhile, Haq Khan has also confirmed that he has rejoined the PDP. Khan served as Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Law and Justice under the PDP-BJP coalition in Jammu and Kashmir. He represented Lolab constituency in the Legislative Assembly from 2009 to 2018. He was elected MLA from Lolab constituency in Kupwara district on PDP ticket in 2008 and 2014.
Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party Vice President Zafar Iqbal Manhas has resigned from the party along with his son on Tuesday. He is likely to join the Congress on Wednesday. Zafar Iqbal Manhas has confirmed that he has resigned from his party and further course of action will be decided after feedback from his workers. Sources said that meanwhile a meeting of workers was also called at his residence, in which a final decision is expected.
Khatana resigned from Ghulam Nabi Azad’s party
At the same time, Chaudhary Haroon Khatana, an influential tribal leader of Kokarnag area in Anantnag district, did the same. Chaudhry Haroon Khatana resigned from Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP). He is likely to join PDP. Khatana said he has resigned from all party posts including general secretary and basic membership of DPAP.
With the announcement of the first phase of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which will be held after 10 years, the agitation in the political camps has intensified. And many leaders and activists are seen leaving one party and joining another party. Jammu and Kashmir will go to polls on September 18, September 25 and October 1, while counting will take place on October 4.
