 Early Times Report
Jammu, Sep 9: Virtually sidelined during electioneering, veteran politician and “ailing” leader Ghulam Nabi Azad wanted to come out of political hibernation as he is going to start the election campaign for his party candidates on September 12.
“With your prayers and blessings, Alhamdullilah! I’m feeling better now. I’ll be starting my campaign for our candidates in South Kashmir and Chenab Valley from September 12th. Join us in our mission to bring back an era of peace and development!”, Azad posted on X.
As reported earlier, the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), founded by veteran politician Ghulam Nabi Azad in September 2022, is facing an identity crisis just two years after its formation. Azad has announced that he will not campaign for his party's candidates in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections due to health issues.
This decision comes as a significant blow to the party, which is contesting its first assembly election. The DPAP has fielded some candidates in three phases of elections, including two former MLAs, Abdul Majeed Wani and Mohammad Amin Bhat. However, with Azad's absence from the campaign trail, their fate remains uncertain.
Adding to the party's woes, vice president and founder member Ghulam Mohammad Saroori has filed his nomination papers as an Independent candidate from the Inderwal Assembly segment. Saroori, a three-time MLA from Inderwal, filed his papers on the last day of nominations, August 27.
Similarly, two important and mass-based leaders of the party Taj Mohi-ud-Din and Jugal Kishore are contesting as Independent candidates from the Uri and Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly segment.
Azad's decision to step back from the campaign trail has given his candidates the option to withdraw their nominations if they feel his absence would negatively impact their chances. This development raises questions about the party's future and its ability to contest elections without its founder's active involvement. |
