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| Azad avoids DPAP symbols in public outreach, fuels speculation over political reorientation | | |  Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 5: In what is being viewed as a significant political signal, former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has been meeting various sections of society across Jammu and Kashmir without using the banners, flags, or symbols of his own party — the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP).
Instead, these interactions are either taking place under the banner of the Gandhi Global Family, a socio-cultural organization he is associated with, or in his personal capacity as a senior statesman and former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state.
The absence of DPAP’s identity in these events has triggered intense speculation about Azad’s future political moves. Many political observers interpret this as a subtle retreat from active promotion of the DPAP, raising questions about whether Azad is rethinking his political course.
The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) was launched by Azad in September 2022, exactly a month after he resigned from Congress following a highly publicized fallout with the party leadership. The launch of DPAP was seen as a bold attempt by the veteran leader to carve out a centrist, development-focused alternative in Jammu and Kashmir's political landscape. The party attracted a mix of former Congress loyalists, political newcomers, and retired bureaucrats, and was initially seen as a potential game-changer ahead of the long-delayed assembly elections in the Union Territory.
However, nearly three years after its formation, DPAP appears to be lacking visible momentum. The recent omission of party banners and flags during Azad’s public Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has been meeting various sections of society across J&K without using the banners, flags, or symbols of his own party DPAP.
These interactions are either taking place under the banner of the Gandhi Global Family or in his personal capacity as a senior statesman.
The absence of DPAP’s identity in these events has triggered intense speculation about Azad’s future political moves.
It seems a subtle retreat from active promotion of the DPAP, raising questions about whether Azad is rethinking his political course.
Azad has been holding a series of meetings with prominent citizens, delegations, civil society groups, and religious leaders across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Yet, none of these engagements have prominently featured DPAP branding — a stark contrast to the party’s early days, where the new identity was front and center in all public interactions.
Political analysts believe this could be a strategic recalibration, with Azad possibly exploring alternative alignments in the run-up to the assembly polls, or keeping the door open for a return to national politics. Some sources suggest Azad may be positioning himself for a broader role, either through forming a new political platform or reconnecting with his former party under changed circumstances.
The DPAP leadership has so far remained silent on the matter, offering no official explanation for the absence of party representation in Azad’s recent engagements. This silence has only added to the intrigue surrounding the future of the party and its founding leader.
While Azad continues to enjoy personal goodwill and political stature, especially in the Chenab Valley and parts of Jammu, his current approach suggests he is weighing his options carefully, rather than investing further in strengthening the party he founded less than two years ago.
As Jammu and Kashmir awaits its long-overdue Assembly elections, Azad’s next political move will be watched closely — both by his supporters and political rivals. |
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