Azad missing from J&K’s political arena

Srinagar, Feb 4: The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), founded by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, is facing an uncertain future following its crushing defeat in the recent assembly elections.
The party’s activities, have come to a standstill, with Azad himself maintaining an unusual silence and absence from the political scene in Jammu and Kashmir.
Party insiders said that since the party’s poor electoral performance, there has been no official statement from Azad, nor any reflection on the results. His only visit to Jammu since the elections was to pay condolences on the demise of some leaders. “Beyond that, he has not engaged in any political activity in the region. This has left party leaders demoralized and isolated, with no clear direction on the way forward,” says a senior DPAP functionary.
Meanwhile, major political parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, National Conference (NC), and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are actively holding meetings, strengthening organizational structures, and preparing for upcoming panchayat and civic elections. In contrast, DPAP has neither convened meetings nor initiated any strategies for future political engagements.
Ghulam Nabi Azad launched DPAP on September 26, 2022, after breaking away from the Congress. His early political engagements involved frequent visits to Jammu and Kashmir, where he held large public gatherings, often highlighting the need for assembly elections in the region.
As a veteran politician, he consistently highlighted his tenure’s achievements while in the Congress. However, his momentum dwindled following the announcement of assembly elections.
During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, DPAP fielded three candidates, all of whom suffered heavy defeats. In the subsequent assembly elections, 22 candidates, including Azad’s close aides, contested under the party’s banner but faced a complete rout. Azad himself fell ill before the elections, which hindered his campaign efforts. The magnitude of the defeat has now raised serious questions about the party’s survival.
Despite the setbacks, Azad has refrained from making any public remarks on the election results or the formation of the new government. His silence has added to the uncertainty within DPAP, with party leaders hesitant to speak openly about the future. Many have not defected to other parties yet but are closely monitoring the evolving political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.
A senior DPAP leader, speaking anonymously, acknowledged the party’s crisis but argued that other regional parties are also struggling in the current political environment. “Congress and other parties are not doing much either. The BJP is also not in power at the state level. The statehood of Jammu and Kashmir has not been restored yet. Given the current situation, our leaders feel it is better to wait and watch,” he said.
Adding to DPAP’s woes, two key figures—GM Saroori and Jugal Kishore—deserted the party midway through the elections to contest as independents, only to face defeat. Now, they too are waiting to see how the political situation unfolds before making their next move. (KNO)