In Jammu and Kashmir, the recent announcement of Assembly candidates by various political parties has triggered a wave of defections among ambitious activists who were not selected. This churn highlights the fluid nature of political affiliations in the region, where loyalty to a party often gives way to personal ambitions and shifting allegiances. As several prominent figures leave their parties for greener pastures, the landscape of J&K politics continues to evolve rapidly.
BulletsIn
- Over 30 activists have left their political parties in J&K after failing to secure candidacies for Assembly seats.
- The shifting political landscape reflects the maxim that in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies.
- Notable defections include Harbaksh Singh, a former PDP supporter, who joined the Awami Itihad Party (AIP) after not being selected by PDP.
- Syed Bari Andrabi, a former PDP member, resigned from the party upon not being chosen as a candidate.
- Syed Suhail Bukhari, once a prominent PDP media advisor, left the party due to internal competition.
- Usman Majid left the J&K Apni Party and may join Congress soon.
- Aijaz Ahmad Mir, a former PDP minister, also departed from the party after not being selected.
- Zafar Iqbal Manhas, a former J&K Apni Party candidate, left to join Congress.
- Chowdhary Zulfikar Ali, a former J&K Apni Party minister, joined BJP after meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- Multiple activists, including Javed Iqbal Chowdhary, Shazia Chowdhary, and Mohammad Ashraf Malik, switched parties, with some securing promising positions in their new affiliations.
