JKPCC Chief Karra: “People Totally Rejected” Azad’s DPAP, Punished For “Idea Of Leaving Cong”
New Delhi, Aug 19: On Monday, Tariq Hameed Karra, the newly-appointed chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress, announced the party’s willingness to engage in discussions with like-minded parties to forge a “respectable alliance” for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. He emphasized that the parameters for such an alliance would differ from those used in the Lok Sabha elections.
In an exclusive interview with PTI, Karra criticized Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), claiming it had been “outrightly rejected” by the electorate, who punished the party for its departure from Congress. He underscored that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s political and legal status remains a top priority for Congress. According to Karra, the central government’s decision to downgrade the state to a Union Territory was unconstitutional and a significant setback.
Karra, who took over as the Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief last week, replacing Vikar Rasool Wani, noted that there is already a call for unity among secular parties opposed to the BJP’s perceived hegemonic stance. He indicated that discussions with potential allies such as the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are ongoing but stressed that the criteria for alliance formation are different for assembly elections compared to parliamentary ones.
After arriving in Srinagar, Karra confirmed that both the NC and PDP have reached out to the Congress central leadership regarding a possible alliance. He mentioned that while the NC has already approached the Congress leadership, discussions with the PDP have occurred at some level. The NC and Congress had previously allied for the Lok Sabha elections, but the PDP was not part of that coalition, accusing the NC of undermining the spirit of the Gupkar alliance.
Karra, a prominent political figure from Srinagar who joined Congress in 2017 after leaving the PDP, highlighted his previous success in defeating NC’s Farooq Abdullah in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. He expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge and emphasized the urgency of focusing on the elections.
Reflecting on the prospects for Congress, Karra pointed to the goodwill generated by Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, which he believes will positively impact the party’s performance in the upcoming assembly elections. He noted that despite not directly benefiting from this goodwill in the parliamentary elections, other parties did.
Karra outlined Congress’s key campaign issues, including the full restoration of democracy and statehood, as well as addressing laws imposed on Jammu and Kashmir. He criticized the BJP’s handling of the region, accusing it of a “step-motherly” attitude and exploiting the Union Territory for electoral gain. Karra emphasized the need to highlight these grievances and acknowledged growing frustration among the people with the current administration.
Regarding the recent increase in terror incidents, Karra attributed the rise in militancy to the central government’s failures and the state administration’s shortcomings. He expressed concern about the situation, stating that it reflects poorly on both the central and state governments. Karra concluded that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are eager for a return to democratic governance and are ready to reject the current ruling party.
As Karra assumes his role as PCC chief, Congress has also appointed Tara Chand and Raman Bhalla as working presidents for Jammu and Kashmir. The assembly elections, set to take place in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, will be crucial for Congress as it seeks to challenge the BJP and make a political comeback, particularly in the Jammu region where the two parties are key competitors. The assembly now comprises 90 seats following recent delimitation, with the BJP and regional parties like the NC and PDP having historically won the majority of seats in their respective regions.
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