Is grand alliance led by Azad being formed to counter I.N.D.I.A. in J&K?

Srinagar, Mar 26: In the complex political arena of Jammu and Kashmir, a significant development is unfolding as a grand alliance, led by politician Ghulam Nabi Azad, is being formed to counter the I.N.D.I.A. alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, who founded the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) after leaving the Congress in 2022, is currently in talks with like-minded people

Initially, the Apni Party has decided not to field any candidate against DPAP vice-chairperson G M Saroori in the Udhampur-Doda segment. Saroori is contesting against MoS PMO Jitendra Singh of the BJP and Lal Singh of the Congress in the first phase of polls on April 19.

The negotiations among the three parties are likely to lead to a seat-sharing agreement across J&K in the upcoming week, as per a senior leader of the Apni Party. Despite their historical differences and ideological contrasts, Azad and other like-minded people are putting aside their disagreements to form this grand alliance against the I.N.D.I.A. bloc.

The alliance, spearheaded by Azad, is believed to have tactical support from the BJP, although the party maintains an official distance. Behind the scenes, the BJP is reportedly using its resources and influence to ensure the success of the Azad-led alliance. This strategic move aims to challenge the voter base of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc in Udhampur, Jammu, and the valley seats, potentially benefiting the BJP.

With disagreements over seat sharing between the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – the key components of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc in Jammu and Kashmir, both parties are likely to field candidates against each other on all three valley seats. This scenario could pose a significant challenge to both parties, especially in the Anantnag and Baramulla Lok Sabha segments.

For the BJP, this alliance presents an opportunity to strengthen its position in the region and make a more significant impact on Kashmiri politics. As the alliance solidifies its strategy and candidate selection, the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir is set to witness intriguing developments in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

According to sources, if the alliance materializes, Ghulam Nabi Azad may contest from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat.

Political analysts suggest that the emergence of a alliance could present a significant challenge for the National Conference (NC), which aims to contest all three Lok Sabha seats in the Valley, having won them all in the 2019 elections, PDP and Congress. The alliance presence could make it challenging for the NC to retain all three seats.