||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder Singh July 13,2024 ||

Jammu: A political storm is brewing in Jammu and Kashmir as former legislators associated with the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) are preparing to rejoin the Congress party. However, their “Ghar Wapsi” is being thwarted by certain Congress leaders who fear the return of these seasoned politicians could undermine their own influence within the party.

Highly placed sources reveal that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) had laid the groundwork for the return of these erstwhile Congress members during the recent visit of AICC General Secretary in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatsinh Solanki, and AICC Joint Secretary, Manoj Yadav. Their visit in the last week of June was strategically planned to win back the allegiance of former Congress leaders now active in the DPAP, founded by Ghulam Nabi Azad after his departure from Congress in August 2022.

The mission appeared promising, with Azad loyalists showing significant interest in rejoining the Congress fold. Encouraged by this positive response, Solanki and Yadav had finalized their visit to Kashmir, aiming to seal the deal. However, local Congress leaders, threatened by the potential resurgence of these influential figures, are alleged to have sabotaged the planned meeting at the eleventh hour.

According to sources, the ex-legislators from the DPAP have made it known that they are ready to return to the Congress, lured by the promise of party mandates in the forthcoming Assembly elections. Yet, this potential shift in loyalty has caused unrest among certain local Congress leaders who aspire to contest these elections themselves. In a bid to maintain their supremacy, they are reportedly spreading misinformation to the Congress high command about the returning Azad loyalists.

Prominent among those ready to switch allegiances is a former MLA and minister from Baramulla district in North Kashmir. This veteran politician, who has contested multiple elections on a Congress ticket, left the party in solidarity with Azad but is now poised for a return. Similarly, another ex-MLA from North Kashmir is reportedly in discussions with Congress leadership to rejoin the party.

In South Kashmir, a senior leader from Kulgam district, known for his steadfast support of Azad, is also preparing for a return to Congress. This leader has served both as a member of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. His disenchantment with the DPAP’s functioning has driven him to reconsider his political future. Additionally, a former MLA from Anantnag district is also looking to rejoin the Congress, adding to the momentum of the “Ghar Wapsi” movement.

Despite these leaders’ willingness to rejoin and strengthen Congress, local opposition within the party poses a significant challenge. The interference during the Kashmir visit of Solanki and Yadav underscores the internal strife and the lengths to which some leaders will go to protect their interests.

The unfolding scenario highlights the complex dynamics within Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape. As the Assembly elections approach, the potential return of these influential ex-legislators to Congress could significantly alter the balance of power. However, whether they can navigate the internal sabotage and successfully reintegrate remains to be seen.

The coming weeks are crucial as Congress high command weighs the situation and the stakes grow higher for all parties involved. The political machinations in Jammu and Kashmir serve as a stark reminder of the intricate and often tumultuous nature of party politics in the region.