Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) has suffered a major setback before the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Four candidates of Ghulam Nabi Azad’s party have withdrawn their nomination papers. The reason for this is being told to be Ghulam Nabi Azad himself. In fact, on Wednesday, Ghulam Nabi Azad had distanced himself from the election campaign citing health problems. He had asked his party candidates to decide independently whether they can remain in the electoral fray in his absence or not. In these circumstances, four candidates withdrew their nomination papers.
All the four DPAP candidates who have withdrawn their nominations are from the Chenab region of Jammu division, which comprises Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts. The region is considered a stronghold of former Congress leader and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Azad. For the first phase of elections for 24 seats in Jammu and Kashmir to be held on September 18, Azad had announced candidates in 13 constituencies. Of these, seven were in Kashmir division and six for the Chenab belt. There are a total of eight assembly seats in the Chenab belt.
On Tuesday, DPAP candidates also filed their nominations. However, on Friday, the last date for withdrawal of nominations for the first phase, four DPAP candidates – Mohammad Aslam Goni (Bhaderwah seat), Fatima Begum (Inderwal), Asif Ahmad Khanday (Banihal) and Girdhari Lal Bhau (Ramban) – withdrew from the fray. Bhaderwah is Azad’s hometown.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Khande said, “Azad sahab was our star campaigner and since he is unwell and cannot campaign, we have decided to withdraw our nominations. Since our constituencies are located in hilly areas, it is not possible for Azad sahab to campaign here.” This development is likely to give a boost to the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance candidates in these constituencies.
Except for a few seats in Chenab, Azad’s party is not seen as a serious contender in other areas, but it is said to have the potential to split the anti-BJP votes. In the last assembly elections held in 2014, the BJP won four seats and the Congress two from the Chenab belt. The total number of assembly seats has increased from six to eight after the delimitation of constituencies in 2022.
