The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — A total of 25 candidates have withdrawn their nomination papers for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, including five from the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP).

The withdrawn DPAP candidates, as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust, are Muhammad Aslam Goni (Bhaderwah), Fatima Begum (Inderwal), Muhammad Asif Khanday (Banihal), Girdhari Lal Bhau (Ramban) and Urfi Majid Wani (Doda).

Additionally, Bahadur Singh from the Jammu Kashmir National Panthers Party and Arshid Mutheir from the Bahujan Samaj Party have also withdrawn their nomination papers.

The nomination papers of 36 candidates have been rejected. A total of 594 candidates have filed nomination forms so far.

SRINAGAR — Citing health concerns, Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said that he will not be able to campaign for his candidates in Assembly elections.

In a statement quoted by the news agency KNS, Azad said that on the night of August 25, he suffered acute chest pain in Srinagar. "Following morning, I took the earliest available flight to Delhi and was admitted to AIIMS Hospital, where I stayed for two days," the statement added.

While doctors assured him that there was no immediate danger, Azad said that he was dealing with other health concerns that require both medication and rest. "These unforeseen circumstances have forced me to step back from the campaign trail," he added.

Azad further said he regrets not being able to support his party candidates during this important time. He also urged his colleagues, who have filed their nomination forms, to assess whether they can continue without his presence. "If they feel my absence would impact their chances, they have the freedom to withdraw their candidacy," Azad added.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and a prominent national leader, has played a significant role in the J&K's politics for decades. Known for his extensive experience and political acumen, his absence from the campaign is expected to be a major setback for his party in the current J&K elections.

SRINAGAR — The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) has firmly denied reports of its chairman, Ghulam Nabi Azad, rejoining Congress.

DPAP Spokesperson Salman Nizami said that for the past two weeks, speculations have circulated, suggesting that G N Azad was approached by Congress leadership to return to the party.

Nizami said that these claims are entirely baseless. "Since Azad left the Congress, neither has he reached out to any Congress leader nor has any Congress leader contacted him, whether directly or through phone calls," Nizami said, putting an end to the swirling rumours.

He further said that these false reports were aimed at creating confusion and weakening DPAP. Nizami urged party members to remain united and vigilant, cautioning them not to fall into any such traps. He also appealed to the media not to lend credence to these unsubstantiated claims.

The statement from the party clarified that Azad remains committed to DPAP, and there are no plans for him to return to Congress, he added.

SRINAGAR — Senior political leader Taj Mohiuddin on Saturday officially confirmed his resignation from the Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) and announced his decision to rejoin the Congress.

Speaking to the news agency KNS, Taj shared that he has formally stepped down from his position in DPAP and has already submitted his resignation letter to Ghulam Nabi Azad.

When questioned about the reasons behind his departure, Taj explained that the party is being labelled as a "team of the BJP," which influenced his decision to leave.

He expressed his discomfort with the association and reiterated his intention to return to the Congress party in the near future, stating that he would make the switch in front of his supporters.

Regarding the appointment of Tariq Karra as the new president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), Taj lauded the decision, calling Karra a deserving candidate for the leadership role. He expressed confidence that Karra’s leadership will strengthen the Congress in J&K.

Taj Mohiuddin, a politician with years of experience, has played a significant role in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape. His return to the Congress is expected to have a notable impact, especially at a time when the party is seeking to solidify its presence ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

SRINAGAR — In their first major electoral battle, the candidates fielded by new parties launched in Jammu & Kashmir have lost their security deposit.

All the candidates fielded by Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) have forfeited their security deposit in the Lok Sabha polls, the results of which were declared on Tuesday.

According to the details available with the news agency KNO, Muhammad Ashraf Mir and Zaffar Iqbal Manhas of JKAP have lost their security deposit as they failed to secure a minimum of one-sixth of the total valid votes polled in their respective constituencies.

While Mir polled 9.77 per cent of the total votes cast in the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, Manhas secured 13.86 per cent of the total votes polled in Anantnag-Rajouri segment.

According to details, GM Saroori fielded by DPAP forfeited his security deposit as he managed to secure only 3.56 per cent of the total votes polled in the Udhampur Lok Sabha seat.

Two other candidates fielded by Ghulam Nabi Azad-led party also lost security deposit in their respective constituencies.

While Muhammad Saleem Parrey secured a meagre 2.47 per cent of the total votes polled in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, Amir Ahmad Bhat polled only 2.24 per cent of votes polled in the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.

Interestingly, PDP candidate for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, Mir Muhammad Fayaz also lost his security deposit.

As per the Election Commission of India, Mir polled only 2.66 per cent of votes polled in the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat.