Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a major political shakeup as the region prepares for its upcoming assembly elections, with multiple leaders switching allegiances due to personal grievances and dissatisfaction with their current roles.
The elections, set to take place in three phases starting September 18, will be the first since Jammu and Kashmir was reconstituted as a Union Territory following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.
One of the most prominent figures making waves is Taj Mohiuddin, a senior leader who recently left Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) to return to the Congress. Mohiuddin, who had spent 45 years with the Congress before briefly joining the DPAP, expressed dissatisfaction with Azad’s perceived proximity to the BJP, prompting his return to the Congress. He described the DPAP as a “one-man show” and reaffirmed his dedication to the Congress, especially in the Chenab region. “A person who corrects their mistake before the day ends is not truly wrong,” Mohiuddin remarked.
Other notable exits include former Jammu and Kashmir minister Usman Majid, who left Altaf Bukhari’s Apni Party, and Ajaz Mir, a former MLA who departed from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after being denied a ticket for the elections.
Suhail Bukhari, a close associate of Mehbooba Mufti, also resigned from the PDP following his exclusion from the candidate list, reflecting growing dissatisfaction within the party.
Harbaksh Singh, a significant District Development Council (DDC) member from Tral, voiced his frustration with the PDP, stating that loyal members were being sidelined in favour of new faces. Singh, who won his DDC seat as an Independent, expressed deep disappointment at having to leave the PDP, describing it as a painful decision made to preserve the dignity of long-time supporters. He believes that the Awami Ittehad Party more accurately represents the people’s sentiments.
Additionally, former minister Basharat Bukhari left Sajad Lone’s People’s Conference to join the PDP, while ex-MLC Javaid Mirchal joined the National Conference. Suhail Bukhari, who had served as the PDP’s chief spokesperson, reflected on the fallout of the BJP-PDP coalition government in 2018 as a challenging period. Despite his efforts to strengthen the PDP, he felt sidelined by the party’s leadership, particularly Mehbooba Mufti, as new leaders were welcomed while long-standing members were overlooked.
“Working under such conditions was becoming difficult for me. So I tendered my resignation as chief spokesperson and from the primary membership. I thank all my party leaders for being with me in this fight. Our political atmosphere will become feasible only if we keep our self-interests aside,” he told news agency, PTI.
The trend of leaders switching allegiances is not confined to the PDP and the DPAP, even the BJP appears to be facing internal challenges.
Reports indicate that the party withdrew a list of 44 candidates due to dissatisfaction among its members over denied nominations, suggesting unrest within its ranks.
As political parties scramble to consolidate support and shore up their ranks, the exodus poses formidable challenges — particularly for newer parties such as the DPAP and Apni Party, which are struggling to maintain a foothold.
With the political landscape in a flux, the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections promise to be critical for regional parties as they navigate the shifting loyalties and the public sentiment in a post-Article 370 environment.
Elections to the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1 and the results declared on October 4.