Azad goes into ‘hibernation’ leaves DPAP leaders confused.

||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder Singh July 23,2024 ||

Jammu : In the political battleground of Jammu and Kashmir, as parties gear up for the impending Assembly elections, the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) finds itself in a quagmire. The once-vibrant leadership of Ghulam Nabi Azad seems to have entered a period of conspicuous inactivity, leaving his party’s leaders and workers in a state of confusion and disillusionment.

Following the declaration of the Lok Sabha election results, Azad has retreated from the public eye, neither addressing gatherings nor engaging with party members. This silence has created a vacuum at the heart of DPAP, with its members struggling to maintain morale after a dismal electoral performance.

DPAP’s strategic backing of Engineer Rashid in Baramulla brought them little solace, as the party floundered in Udhampur-Doda, Anantnag-Rajouri, and Srinagar-Budgam. Despite claims from DPAP leaders about their contribution to Rashid’s victory, insiders acknowledge that the party’s influence in Baramulla was negligible.

Highly placed sources within DPAP reveal a sense of hopelessness pervading the ranks. The once-enthusiastic cadre now appears demoralized, grappling with the reality of a defunct leadership. “Azad’s absence has left us directionless,” confided a senior DPAP member. “We need his leadership now more than ever, yet he remains silent.”

In the wake of this turmoil, whispers of desertion have grown louder. Some DPAP leaders, disillusioned by their party’s stagnation, are considering a return to their former political home, the Congress. However, the Congress party, mindful of past loyalties and the shifting political landscape, is treading cautiously.

An unnamed Congress leader confirmed the overtures from DPAP members but emphasized the need for careful vetting. “We have received proposals from several senior leaders wanting to come back,” the leader stated. “But we must consider all political factors before making any decisions.”

The potential reintegration of DPAP leaders is complicated by their previous criticisms of Congress leadership, made in staunch loyalty to Azad. While some figures, owing to their political clout, may be readmitted, others might find the door closed. “It’s not just about numbers,” explained the Congress insider. “It’s about trust and future strategy.”

Adding to the complexity is DPAP’s alleged proximity to the ruling BJP, which has alienated a significant portion of its traditional support base. This perceived alignment has further eroded DPAP’s standing, making the prospect of political revival seem even more remote.

Veteran political analyst, Ramesh Sharma, commented on the situation, stating, “Azad’s silence is a strategic blunder. His party’s flirtation with BJP has cost them dearly. Now, DPAP leaders are like political nomads, searching for a new home.”

The final decision regarding the return of DPAP leaders to Congress rests with the central leadership in New Delhi, in consultation with local leaders. As the Assembly elections approach, the stakes are high. Will Congress welcome back its estranged members, or will DPAP find a way to reignite its faltering flame?

For now, the DPAP leadership and its supporters remain in limbo, their future hanging in the balance. The political wilderness into which Azad has retreated leaves many questions unanswered, and the path ahead for his party shrouded in uncertainty.

In this evolving political drama, the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir watch closely, waiting to see if Azad will break his silence and lead his party out of the shadows, or if DPAP will become a footnote in the region’s turbulent political history.