As the election scene heats up in Jammu and Kashmir, three former Chief Ministers of the erstwhile state, Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party , Dr Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti of the People's Democratic Party, have decided to opt out of the race.
Both Abdullah and Azad, it’s believed, have made the decision for health reasons and Mufti in protest against the declaration of J&K as Union Territory and revocation of Article 370.
While both Abdullah and Mufti have fielded their kin in the forthcoming elections, Omar Abdullah from Ganderbal and Iltijah Mufti Bijebehara, Azad has decided to opt out of his own accord as internal dissent was brewing within his party.
Three-time Chief Minister Azad, who earlier secured a record 62.86 per cent of the vote from Bhaderwah in 2008, is a popular figure there. His decision to step back left many surprised.
Mehbooba, who debuted in J&K politics as an MLA from Bijbehara in 1996, became the Chief Minister of state in 2016.
This year Iltija has replaced her in the Bijbehara seat.
Mehbooba's decision has stirred speculations about the future of her party.
The dismal performance of her People’s Democratic Party in the Lok Sabha elections has also forced Mehbooba Mufti, as per experts, to rethink her role in the party, which is fighting its worst-ever existential crisis.
Besides, many consider the fate of the party to be hanging in balance, since a defeat may send the PDP down a non-recoverable sinkhole.
On the other hand, Mehbooba has reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir's current status as a Union Territory has imposed limitations; she expressed doubts about her ability to fulfil the party's agenda if elected.
Recalling her efforts as CM during the previous tenure, which included withdrawal of FIRs against 12,000 people and an attempt to reach out to separatists for discussions she said such moves would be difficult in the current circumstances.
"The alliance between NC-Congress was driven by lust for power, as against the previous alliances which were formed based on clear-cut agendas, such as keeping Article 370 intact and opening up talks with Pakistan and Hurriyat."
A senior PDP leader said the move of the party president was evidence to the people of PDP’s iron resolve to stick to its stand.
“She (Mehbooba) has once again shown that she won't backtrack from her stand, unlike those who change their positions with every other season, which is an indirect jibe at Omar Abdullah who has recently decided to contest," said the PDP leader.
Follow us
