Ghulam Nabi withdraws from J&K poll campaign, party in fix
Ghulam Nabi Azad, the leader of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections campaign due to health concerns. This decision comes as a significant setback for the party, which was established by the former Congress stalwart two years ago. The first phase of voting in this Union Territory is scheduled for September 18, with DPAP fielding 13 candidates.
Azad's health forces him to step back from campaign trail
Azad expressed regret over his inability to campaign for DPAP candidates due to unforeseen circumstances related to his health. In a statement released by the party, Azad said, "The candidates should assess whether they can continue without my presence. If they feel my absence would impact their chances, they have the freedom to withdraw their candidacy." This marks a challenging time for DPAP as it prepares for its first assembly election since its inception in September 2022.
DPAP's electoral debut and internal challenges
The DPAP, which positioned itself as an alternative to regional parties like the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), faced a disappointing electoral debut. All three of its candidates lost their deposits in the 2024 general elections. The party has also experienced internal turmoil with several leaders, including treasurer and former minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din, resigning ahead of the assembly polls.
Uncertainty looms over DPAP's future in upcoming phases
Party spokesperson Salman Nizami clarified that Azad's announcement only pertains to the first phase of polling. However, there is no clarity within the party on whether there will even be any candidate lists for the second and third phases of voting on September 25 and October 1, respectively.
