SRINAGAR, SEP 22: Eying on the upcoming Parliamentary and Assembly elections, at least 12 parties have been formed over the last two years in Jammu and Kashmir.
The representatives of these parties are mostly disgruntled leaders of the existing political parties, who claim to bring a change in the “corrupt system” of the Union Territory.
The assembly elections could not be held after five years of Governor’s rule in J&K. The political leaders have been urging the government to hold the Assembly polls in J&K.
While the BJP has been saying that it was the Election Commission of India, which has to take the decision about holding assembly elections.
When the elections are held, it would make the contest interesting as assembly elections were last held in 2014 after which the PDP-BJP government made government in J&K.
Ahead of 2014, there was also mushrooming of new political parties. However, once the elections were over, these new parties went off the scene and only traditional parties like NC, PDP, BJP and Congress were able to win 90 percent of seats.
Among the 12 new political parties formed since 2022 are Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), National Awami United Party, National Democratic Party (Indian), Aman Aur Shanti Tehreek-e-Jammu & Kashmir, Voice of Labour Party (Jammu & Kashmir), Haq Insaaf Party, Jammu and Kashmir Awami Awaaz, and Jammu Kashmir United Movement (JKUM).
Taj Mohiuddin of DPAP, former Congress leader, said the traditional parties have exploited the people of J&K. “Ghulam Nabi Azad is a mass leader only he can take people out of difficulties,” he said.
The founder of Jammu Kashmir United Movement (JKUM), Ishfaq Jabbar, who was previously associated with the National Conference, said he wanted to serve the people of J&K.
“The National Conference is responsible for the plight of Kashmir. People have realized and they will show the NC door in upcoming Assembly elections,” Ishfaq said.
An NC leader said the newly formed parties were only to weaken regional parties. “These are formed to divide the votes in Kashmir. Similar tricks were played before 2014 but people rejected them that time also,” the leader said. J&K BJP leader Altaf Thakur denied that new parties were proxies of the ruling party. “Anyone is free to form a political party. We don’t need anyone’s support. We will win maximum seats here,” he added.
