Ahead of poll, rumblings begin in political parties

Srinagar, August 20

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After the notification for the first phase of the Assembly poll was announced on Tuesday, the Valley witnessed rumblings in political parties as several leaders were apparently miffed over the denial of mandate, while others returned in hope of getting a ticket.

Among today’s political shocks in the valley, two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and a founding member of the Altaf Bukhari-led Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party left the parties.

Apni Party founder member Zaffar Manhas, who recently unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha poll from Anantnag-Rajouri in J&K, left the party today. His resignation is another major setback to the Apni Party ahead of the Assembly poll.

Manhas confirmed today that he had resigned from the party. He, however, said he did not take any decision about joining any party yet. He would take the final call after consulting the workers.

He is the third top rung leader who left the Apni Party recently. Senior leaders Usman Majid and Noor Muhammad had earlier quit the party. They have not joined any party yet.

In March 2020, former PDP leader Altaf Bukhari had announced the formation of the Apni Party.

Another major development in the Valley’s political spectrum was the resignation of two senior Peoples Democratic Party members. The development came a day after the PDP released its first list of eight candidates for the Assembly poll. As per the list, former CM Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti will contest from south Kashmir’s Bijbehara Assembly seat. The party today released another set of five candidates.

PDP chief spokesperson Suhail Bukhari and another spokesperson Harbaksh Singh left the party today.

Suhail left the party as he was apparently miffed over not being given the mandate from the Kreeri Wagoora seat in Baramulla district. Basharat Bukhari, who recently rejoined the PDP, is set to contest from this seat on the party ticket.

Suhail said on Tuesday that those who stood by the party during the difficult times were being ignored.

Harbaksh, another leader from South Kashmir, is also a member of the District Development Council (DDC). His resignation came a day after the PDP announced a candidate from the Tral Assembly segment. Singh said the party didn’t consult him before announcing the ticket on Monday.

Meanwhile, former minister Abdul Haq Khan, who took break from politics, returned to the PDP on Tuesday. In 2022, Khan’s aides had said that he had resigned from the party.

Mehbooba Mufti, who visited the leader’s house today, told the media that Khan did not resign. He was now back to active politics and would work for the party.