Iltija Mufti to contest from Bijbehara Assembly segment.

Defections Shake Party Just Hours After Candidates are Named.

||Black and White Digital News||

||Tejveer Singh August 21,2024 ||

Jammu : In a shocking turn of events, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) suffered a major setback on the same day it revealed its initial list of candidates for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Within hours of the Parliamentary Board’s announcement of the 13 candidates, three senior leaders dramatically resigned from the party, triggering political tremors across the region.

The PDP had hoped to present a unified front by fielding strong candidates for the first phase of the crucial elections. Among the most notable names on the list is Iltija Mufti, daughter of the former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who will contest from the Bijbehara Assembly segment. Other prominent figures include Ab Rehman Veeri for Anantnag East, Sartaj Ahmad Madani for Devsar, Dr. Mehboob Beg for Anantnag, Gh Nabi Lone Hanjura for Charisharief, and Gh Mohi-ud-din Wani for Watchi. The list further includes Waheed-ur Rehman Parra for Pulwama, Rafiq Ahmad Naik for Tral, Abdul Gaffar Sofi for Anantnag West, Dr. Shabiq Sadiqui for Pahalgam, and Sheikh Nasir Hussain. Additionally, the party announced candidates for the Inderwal and Sandesh Mahajan Paddar-Nagsani seats, alongside Ghulam Ahmad Dar for the D H Pora constituency.

However, the revelation of these candidates has sent shockwaves through the party. Dr. Harbaksh Singh, a senior leader and District Development Council (DDC) member from Tral, was the first to announce his resignation. His departure followed the PDP’s decision to nominate Rafiq Ahmad Naik for the Tral Assembly segment—a move that many within the party viewed as a miscalculation. Singh swiftly switched allegiances, joining the Awami Itihad Party (AIP), led by newly elected Lok Sabha member Engineer Rashid.

This political turmoil didn’t end there. Aijaz Mir, a former PDP legislator from Zainpora, also resigned in response to being denied the mandate for the Wachi Assembly segment. Expressing his deep disappointment, Mir revealed that he had been preparing to contest the elections, believing that his track record and grassroots connections would have secured him the nomination. The party’s decision to bypass him has raised eyebrows, especially given his longstanding association with the PDP.

But perhaps the most significant blow came when Suhail Bukhari, the party’s chief spokesperson, handed in his resignation. Bukhari, who had aspired to run as a candidate from the Wagoora-Kreeri constituency, was reportedly sidelined after the return of former minister Basharat Bukhari to the PDP. The former spokesperson’s exit is seen as a significant loss for the PDP, as he was a prominent voice for the party in public forums and the media. Speculation is rife that Suhail may soon join Dr. Harbaksh Singh in the AIP, marking a critical shift in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.

With defections mounting and internal rifts surfacing, the PDP faces a precarious situation at a time when the party needs unity more than ever. The resignations have added a layer of uncertainty to its electoral prospects, raising questions about its ability to maintain its influence across the state. The turmoil reflects broader dissatisfaction within the ranks, as loyalists find themselves sidelined in favor of newer or returning candidates.

The PDP’s leadership, led by Mehbooba Mufti, is now left grappling with a potential crisis. Political observers are closely watching whether the party can recover from this blow or whether this will mark the beginning of a more widespread rebellion within its ranks. Despite these defections, the PDP remains hopeful that its chosen candidates can hold their ground in what is expected to be a highly competitive election.

As the election season in Jammu and Kashmir heats up, these developments underscore the volatile nature of the region’s politics. The stage is set for fierce competition, and with key players switching sides, the electoral landscape is already taking unpredictable turns.