Tariq Hameed Karra Named JKPCC Chief, Former Minister Zulfkar Joins BJP and Taj Returns to Congress
Avinash Azad
The announcement of long-awaited assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir has set off a flurry of political realignments, with leaders across parties recalibrating their allegiances.
The region’s political landscape, already in flux since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, is witnessing further tremors as the poll date approaches. Rumors of Ghulam Nabi Azad’s potential return to the Congress party have been making waves in media circles. Azad, who dramatically split from the Congress in 2022 to form the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), has been the subject of intense speculation. However, DPAP spokesperson Salman Nizami has firmly denied these reports, stating that neither has the Congress approached Azad, nor is he considering a return.
In a significant development, Taj Mohiuddin, a senior leader and former minister known for his loyalty to Azad, has officially confirmed his resignation from DPAP. Mohiuddin announced his decision to rejoin the Congress, marking a notable reversal in the political narrative. Mohiuddin, in his statement, praised Karra’s appointment, describing him as a deserving candidate and expressing confidence in his ability to reinvigorate the Congress in the region.
This move follows the earlier return of former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand to the Congress fold, after a brief stint with Azad’s party. The Congress party, sensing the shifting political winds, has undertaken a leadership reshuffle in its Jammu and Kashmir unit. Tariq Hameed Karra has been appointed as the new president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), replacing Vikar Rasool Wani. The party has also added Tara Chand as a second working president alongside Raman Bhalla, potentially aiming to strengthen its organizational structure ahead of the elections.
The political reshuffling is not limited to the Congress. Zulfkar Chowdahry, a former two-time MLA from Dharhal constituency in Rajouri district, has made a significant switch. Once a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) member and minister in Mehbooba Mufti’s cabinet, Chowdahry had initially joined Altaf Bukhari’s Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party after leaving the PDP in 2019. In a surprising move, he has now aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to formalize his entry into the saffron party. These political maneuvers underscore the fluid nature of alliances in Jammu and Kashmir’s political arena. As the election date draws nearer, observers anticipate more such shifts, with parties and leaders strategically positioning themselves for the upcoming electoral battle. The evolving political scenario reflects the complex interplay of regional dynamics, personal ambitions, and national politics in Jammu and Kashmir. As the region prepares for its first assembly elections since the reorganization of the former state, these political realignments are likely to have a significant impact on the electoral outcomes and the future governance of the Union Territory.
