A wave of political realignments has swept through Jammu and Kashmir following the announcement of long-awaited assembly elections, reports Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
A day after the Amarnath Yatra concluded on August 19, a new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s political journey began. The announcement of the long-anticipated assembly elections swiftly altered the political landscape. From August 20, politicians embarked on a seasonal political yatra, crossing floors or mending fences with the ‘mother’ outfits.
Most of the political parties floated after August 2019, have made no significant impact on the ground, and a new trend emerged. The political class started readjusting and realigning with a focus on assembly elections.
Nearly a month ago, Syed Basharat Bukhari rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after leaving it six years ago. “I have always represented the aspirations of the people,” Bukhari stated, adding that he met with Party President Mehbooba Mufti and decided to return.
Bukhari was expelled from the PDP in 2018 for “anti-party activities” following the collapse of the BJPDP coalition. In December 2018, he joined the National Conference but deserted it in 2021 to join Sajad Lone’s Peoples’ Conference, from which he was expelled in June 2023.
It was the PDP that found a promising politician in broadcaster Bukhari who hosted the popular current affairs capsule Shehrbeen in 2003. Sangrama elected him for assembly in 2008 and 2014. He served as Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and Relief and Rehabilitation in the previous government.
Following Bukhari, another party deserter returned ‘home’. After spending three years with JKPC, Khursheed Alam returned to an impressive welcome by Mehbooba Mufti. In March 2021, he left the party citing “a lack of vision and strategy”. When he returned ‘home’ Mehbooba talked about her father’s legacy, highlighting his vision and her determination to carry it forward despite facing boycotts. Alam renewed his pledges.
New Situation, New Forces
Following the abrogation of Article 370, the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party, led by former PDP minister Syed Altaf Bukhari, emerged as a new major political force. It drew members from regional powerhouses including PDP and JKNC, Congress and Shah Faesal’s stillborn Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement (JKPM).
Its members were a diverse basket: Dilawar Mir, Rafi Mir, Ashraf Mir, Javaid Beigh, Noor M Sheikh, Javaid Mustafa Mir, Choudhary Zulfiqar Ali, (all from PDP); Usman Majid and Shoaib Lone (Congress) and Vijay Bakaya (JKNC). Post-launch others joined in. By now, most of them have switched their sympathies – some mending fences with the mother outfit and some realigning with others.
Veteran Voices
Taj Mohi-Ud-Din announced on August 17 that he will soon rejoin the Congress, having recently left Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party. After spending over four decades in Congress, he had deserted the party and followed Azad, a decision he regrets now. He attributes his Ghar Wapsi to his workers’ counsel.
Gujjar leader, Choudhary Zulfikar Ali was vice president of the Bukhari-led Apni Party. He took a flight to Delhi, met Home Minister Amit Shah and joined the BJP in Jammu. Elected twice from Darhal on PDP mandate, he was a minister in the BJPDP coalition. Then he migrated to JKAP and finally landed in BJP where he is expected to get a mandate.
All Doors Open
JKNC, the region’s oldest party, has always been open to new entrants. In the last many weeks, a lot of established politicians from other parties joined JKNC along with many retired bureaucrats, soldiers, cops and ground-level workers.
So far, no major player from NC has left the party.
On Sunday, former MLC Javaid Mirchal joined JKNC. Mirchal, a political activist from Karnah had dissociated from PDP in January 2020. Earlier, Javiad Baig from PDP had also joined the party.
Not JKNC alone, almost all political parties have kept their doors open. Election is all about numbers. Zafar Iqbal Manhas, vice president of JKAP resigned months after ending up as runner-up in Lok Sabha polls. He is yet to make his choices open.
Meanwhile, Dr Harbaksh Singh, a senior leader and DDC member from Tral, left the PDP to join the Awami Itehad Party (AIP), citing a lack of confidence in decision-making and neglect of minority communities. These developments contribute to the ongoing flux in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.
Tribal Leader
Rajouri Poonch is witnessing a race these days with BJP getting most of the top leaders from the Pahari-speaking people and Gujjar and Bakerwals. At least five former lawmakers from JKNC and PDP have joined the BJP in the region in recent days.
Choudhary Haroon Khatana, a prominent tribal leader from Kokernag in Anantnag has resigned from the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP). Khatana returned to the PDP after meeting with his workers. Previously, he served as general secretary of the DPAP but left the party following the recent delimitation exercise, which reserved the Kokernag assembly segment for Scheduled Tribes.
Earlier this week, PDP chief spokesperson Suhail Bukhari also resigned from the party. He was reportedly upset at not being given the mandate to contest the elections. Bukhari had hoped to contest the polls from Wagoora-Kreeri, but the return of Basharat Bukhari diminished his chances of securing the ticket. A journalist-turned-politician, Bukhari was a close aide of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and had served as her advisor when she was chief minister.
“The recent departures are undoubtedly disheartening. It is tough to see people leave, but we must approach the situation practically,” Mohit Bhan of PDP said. “With only 90 assembly seats available and many aspirants vying for them, not everyone can secure a position. In numerous constituencies, multiple candidates compete, but only one can be chosen, leading to disappointment and discontent among those not selected.”
Bhan acknowledged the emotional impact of recent departures on both sides, recognising the significant contributions of those who left. He said a party’s strength lies in its workers and networks, citing the PDP’s resilience during a previous mass exodus of senior leaders.
As assembly elections approach, Bhan expressed confidence in the PDP’s ability to connect with voters and spread its message effectively, pointing to enthusiastic supporters and new members. Regarding former leaders returning to the party, Bhan said that thoughtful discussions were held with senior members and working committees before approving the return of select individuals who had not publicly criticized the party.
A Dark Horse
The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), led by incarcerated Engineer Rasheed, is emerging as a new political force. Rasheed’s brother, Sheikh Khurshid, and his nephews are actively building the party, which is attracting recruits, including those denied mandates by established parties.
Recent defections include Dr Harbaksh Singh, a senior PDP leader, and Aijaz Mir, a former PDP legislator, who expressed shock at being denied a party mandate. Suhail Bukhari, PDP’s chief spokesperson, has also quit, reportedly due to not being given a mandate. All three are likely to join AIP.
Raja Waheed, a District Development Council (DDC) member from Shopian, has resigned from PDP due to a lack of respect within the party. He has joined the AIP to focus on people’s welfare, citing this as his primary aim.
The AIP has announced a list of nine candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in south Kashmir. The selection was made after extensive consultations with the local community and civil society. The party plans to contest the elections independently, without forming alliances with other political parties in Kashmir. The AIP is also preparing to release its manifesto in the coming days, pending further internal discussions.
In another significant development, former MLA Abdul Rahim Rather, a senior leader from Kokernag, has resigned from the Apni Party. He cited the party’s disregard for his suggestions as the reason for his departure.
As political realignments continue ahead of the elections, it remains to be seen how long these political “migratory birds” will continue to shift before the final phase, and where they will ultimately settle.
