NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Sep -2 NVI): With stage for the first ever Assembly elections in J&K after a decade, horse-trading has started to gain speed in both regions of the UT with politicians changing their loyalties for gains,
Figures suggest that 36 leaders from various political parties especially PDP, Apni Party and Peoples Conference resigned from their respective posts and joined National Conference, Congress and BJP with the sole aim of making some gains out of their moves. Many senior leaders also resigned from BJP too over mandate tussle in Jammu and decided to contest as independent candidates.
“Politics is a battle of ideas. Leaders come and go. Some 40 leaders had quit PDP after BJP withdrew support from us in 2014. Many of them are back to the party fold now and others may join soon,” said PDP chief Mehbooba in a recent press conference in Srinagar. Party’s senior leader in PDP-BJP government Altaf Bukhari left the party and floated Apni Party. He was joined by dozens of PDP leaders and former ministers that include Dilawar Mir, his son Yawar Dilawar Mir, Ashraf Mir and others.
PDP leader and the party’s chief spokesman Suhail Bukhari recently quit the party and today landed in Congress camp. He was welcomed by the PCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra who stated that Bukhari’s joining will strengthen party in Wagoora-Kreei Assembly segment. Sources, however, said that Bukhari may pitch for a mandate from the seat, which seems difficult.
Similarly, PDP’s young leader and former MLA from Wachi constituency Aijaz Mir who was denied ticket decided to contest independently. BJP faced revolt in Jammu as two of its senior leaders Chander Mohan and Kashmira Singh resigned from the party and decided to fight independently.
Many leaders from Sajad Lone led the Peoples Conference quit and joined National Conference. “There are many reasons why leaders are resigning and joining other parties. One big reason is that elections are taking place after a decade and these people want mandates irrespective of the fact whether they would win or not,” said a senior NC leader. “In NC, miniscule people have resigned. Rather, people from other parties have joined us.”
Political observers linking the resignations and joinings with the horse-trading. “This happens everywhere. Politics is a dirty game and it makes strange bedfellows,” they said. “Leaders shift from one party to another after noticing the public mood. This time in Kashmir, there seems to be pro-NC wave, so more people are joining the party. In Jammu, BJP looks in a comfortable position, so people are landing in BJP camp there. In some cases, parties themselves approach the leaders they want to be in their parties.” (News Vibes of India)
