Azad Expresses Surprise and Disappointment Over Non-Conduction of Elections in Jammu and Kashmir

14-06-2023 : Ghulam Nabi Azad, the chief of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, voiced his criticism towards opposition parties on Wednesday, accusing them of remaining silent on the issue of conducting elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Azad expressed his discontent with the opposition’s selective unity, claiming that they only show solidarity when their own parties face specific problems. However, they have neglected to address the crucial matter of holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The opposition has remained silent for the past six years regarding the conduction of elections in J-K. They only talk about unity when their parties face problems. Why did they not speak up? Jammu and Kashmir, which held significant status before the abrogation of Article 370, was transformed into a Union Territory, and other parties even voted in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party,” Azad stated. He further raised concerns about the absence of an assembly in the Union Territory, highlighting the lack of representation for the people of Jammu and Kashmir on a national level. Elected representatives play a crucial role in advocating for their respective regions, but without an assembly, this becomes impossible.

“Due to the non-existence of an assembly in the Union Territory, there is no way to reach out to the people living far away, whether in the Kashmir valley or Jammu. Elected representatives are meant to represent the people of their regions,” he added.

Azad also expressed his astonishment at the unprecedented situation of elections not being conducted in the region, stating, “This is the first time in my political career that elections are not being held in the region. It’s beyond my experience and understanding.”

The abrogation of Article 370 took place in 2019, leading to Jammu and Kashmir becoming a Union Territory, while Ladakh was separated to form another Union Territory. The last Assembly Elections in J-K were held in November-December 2014, and the coalition government of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was formed in March 2015. The PDP secured 28 seats, while the BJP won 25 out of the 87 seats.

Despite his criticism, Azad credited the leadership of the Congress party in various states for their recent electoral triumphs, stating, “I have said that the Congress has suffered losses at the Centre, not in the states. Wherever there is strong state leadership, the party is bouncing back.”