Former Congress party troubleshooter and master strategist, Ghulam Nabi Azad, at present chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) is working hard behind the curtains to stitch a pre-poll alliance with like-minded political parties in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir. As per the latest political grapevine, Ghulam Nabi Azad is keen on consolidating his foothold in both the regions of Jammu and Kashmir with the help of like-minded political parties to give a tough fight to their political opponents.
Azad launched his political party in September 2022 after leaving the Congress party. Since then he has been holding public meetings to garner people’s support based on his past performance as Chief Minister.
Lending credibility to the rumor mill, the chief spokesman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), Salman Nizami Tuesday revealed that discussions with similar-minded parties for an alliance in the upcoming elections are still in the initial stages. He also indicated that the final decision regarding this matter would be made in the forthcoming days by DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad.
In Kashmir valley, a senior leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party also made a similar statement claiming their party was also ready to collaborate with other like-minded parties for the welfare of the people of Jammu and kashmir.
Speaking to a news agency, JKAPNI party General Secretary Rafi Mir said, “We will invite all the like-minded parties and contest the elections together. This is just a start. We expect few people will approach us and we will also approach people”.
However, the Altaf Bukhari-led JKAP has firmly ruled out any alliance with the BJP at present, citing ideological differences.
“The party has empowered the president to take the discussions forward. I think it will be given a shape in a day or two”, Rafi Mir further added. Mir also mentioned right now talks with the BJP are difficult. “We will see in the time to come. We want to fight on our strength right now”.
