All four candidates had filed their papers from parts of Azad’s home turf in the Chenab Valley, formerly the Doda district. Azad had reportedly left suddenly for New Delhi, giving his party candidates the option to contest the election based on their personal choice.
Although elections for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly are being held after a gap of ten years, the ongoing election process is witnessing the absence of three former chief ministers – Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and Ghulam Nabi Azad – from the electoral arena.
Earlier speculations were rife that Azad might return to Congress before the assembly elections, but this was denied by the DPAP.
The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) on Sunday clarified that party chairman and senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad is not rejoining the Congress Party.
DPAP's denial on the issue has come amidst the season of defection that set in immediately after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
Article 370 can’t be restored. Its restoration needs a two-thirds majority in the Parliament. Will focus on statehood for J&K, says former Cong veteran
Earlier, Azad, in his first public meeting in Jammu after quitting Congress, had announced to launch of his own political outfit that will focus on the restoration of full statehood.
Azad said: “I have not yet decided upon a name for the new party. People of Jammu and Kashmir will decide the name and the flag for the party. I would like to give the party a Hindustani name that Hindus, Muslims and people of other regions easily understand.”
Ghulam Nabi Azad, in his first public meeting on Sunday in Jammu after quitting Congress, announced to launch his own political outfit that will focus on the restoration of full statehood.
Azad, who quit the party recently left for Jammu to hold the public meeting on Sunday morning which is scheduled for 11 am.
