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Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has resigned from the Congress party. And his exit triggered a series of resignations within the Congress party in Jammu and Kashmir. Azad was the only known face of the Congress party in J&K. The party in Jammu and Kashmir was Azadfied. With Azad gone, the party will face a serious challenge as there is no leader in Congress of his stature in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
His resignation has set off speculations all across the quiet political atmosphere of Jammu and Kashmir. The political parties, who were trying to assemble to fight against the inclusion of what they allege “25 lakh outsiders” as voters of Jammu and Kashmir, are all busy watching what would be Azad’s next move.
On August 17, Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir said after the abrogation of Article 370 every citizen of the country stayed ordinarily in J&K, for labour work, education and business purpose, can register as a voter in J&K and cast vote in the next assembly elections. The CEO said he expects an increase of 20 to 25 lakh voters after the completion of the special summary revision of the electoral rolls whose final announcement will be made on November 25, 2022. The announcement created a political ruckus in J&K and despite the government issuing a clarification, the parties said they weren’t satisfied with the government response, saying outside voters are akin to changing the voter demography of the region.
While the debate was going on, Azad resigned turning discourse in J&K in different directions. Many in the Valley believe Azad might face the fate of former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. However, unlike Amarinder Singh, Azad has the backing of a large number of Congress leaders of J&K, who in the first show of loyalty towards him, resigned from the party within hours of his resignation.
His resignation has set off speculations all across the quiet political atmosphere of Jammu and Kashmir. The political parties, who were trying to assemble to fight against the inclusion of what they allege “25 lakh outsiders” as voters of Jammu and Kashmir, are all busy watching what would be Azad’s next move.
On August 17, Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir said after the abrogation of Article 370 every citizen of the country stayed ordinarily in J&K, for labour work, education and business purpose, can register as a voter in J&K and cast vote in the next assembly elections. The CEO said he expects an increase of 20 to 25 lakh voters after the completion of the special summary revision of the electoral rolls whose final announcement will be made on November 25, 2022. The announcement created a political ruckus in J&K and despite the government issuing a clarification, the parties said they weren’t satisfied with the government response, saying outside voters are akin to changing the voter demography of the region.
While the debate was going on, Azad resigned turning discourse in J&K in different directions. Many in the Valley believe Azad might face the fate of former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. However, unlike Amarinder Singh, Azad has the backing of a large number of Congress leaders of J&K, who in the first show of loyalty towards him, resigned from the party within hours of his resignation.