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| PDP trying to rope in annoyed Cong leaders of Valley | | | Sandeep Bhat
Jammu, June 19: The Congress party appears to be heading into turbulent waters in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Kashmir Valley, as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a determined campaign to attract senior leaders and grassroots workers from the “grand old party”.
In a significant political move, Ghulzar Ahmad Wani, a veteran political figure and former MLA from Shangus, rejoined the PDP after a decade-long stint with the Congress. Wani, known for his stronghold in South Kashmir, was one of the founding members of the PDP during its inception in the late 1990s. His return is being hailed as a major boost for the PDP’s organizational revival in a region that has traditionally played a decisive role in electoral politics.
Political observers see Wani’s homecoming as a calculated move by the PDP to rebuild its grassroots strength and reassert its relevance in Kashmir’s dynamic political landscape. His re-induction also sends a strong message to rival parties that the PDP remains a force to reckon with, especially as it continues to reconnect with its ideological base and key political players.
The development came just a day after 40 senior Congress workers from Ganderbal district—a politically sensitive and strategically important region in Central Kashmir—formally joined the PDP.
The PDP leadership has stepped up outreach activities across Kashmir, sensing a moment of opportunity amid growing dissatisfaction within the Congress ranks. Party insiders reveal that the PDP is targeting districts where Congress’s organizational structure has weakened and local leadership feels neglected or side-lined.
“The Congress is gradually losing its grip in the Valley,” said a senior PDP leader, adding that several more former Congress leaders and influential panchayat members are expected to join the party in the coming weeks.
Ghulzar Ahmad Wani’s return is particularly significant at a time when the PDP is trying to reposition itself as the primary voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The party, which suffered setbacks following the 2018 collapse of the coalition government and subsequent political upheaval, is now looking to bounce back through strategic alliances, grassroots mobilization, and by bringing back key political figures who once formed the party’s backbone.
For the Congress, the latest defections are a cause of serious concern. The party, which has struggled to maintain its relevance in J&K in recent years, now faces the dual challenge of internal dissent and external poaching. The lack of a clear leadership structure and the absence of a Valley-centric political narrative have left many workers demoralized. |
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