In an unexpected move, Tara Chand, a former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has criticized the Congress for resigning in support of Ghulam Nabi Azad, stating that it was a "blunder". He also expressed his support for Surinder Choudhary, a former PDP and BJP member who was chosen as deputy chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Other former politicians, including Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Kavinder Gupta, have also shared their thoughts on the current political situation in the state.
Jammu and Kashmir Politics: Tara Chand Breaks Ranks, Supports Surinder Choudhary
In a surprising turn of events, former Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand has criticized the Congress for resigning in support of Ghulam Nabi Azad and thrown his support behind Surinder Choudhary, a former PDP and BJP member who was appointed Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Background
The political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir has been in flux since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, was detained and the state was placed under central government control.
In September 2019, the National Conference (NC), the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and the Congress formed the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to demand the restoration of Article 370. The Congress, however, has been plagued by internal divisions, with some leaders expressing support for Ghulam Nabi Azad, who left the party in 2022 to form his own outfit, the Democratic Azad Party.
Tara Chand's Criticism
Tara Chand, a veteran Congress leader, has now broken ranks with the party and criticized the resignations of seven of its MLAs in support of Azad. He has termed it a "blunder" and has called Azad's party a "one-man show."
Support for Surinder Choudhary
Tara Chand has instead expressed his support for Surinder Choudhary, who was appointed Deputy Chief Minister in place of the Congress's Tara Chand. Choudhary is a former PDP and BJP member who is considered to be close to the central government.
Other Reactions
Chand's comments have drawn mixed reactions from other former politicians. Muzaffar Hussain Baig, a former PDP leader, has welcomed his support for Choudhary, while Kavinder Gupta, a former BJP leader, has criticized the Congress for its internal divisions.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why did Tara Chand leave the Congress? Tara Chand has not officially announced that he has left the Congress. However, his criticism of the party and support for Surinder Choudhary have raised questions about his future with the party.
2. Who is Surinder Choudhary? Surinder Choudhary is a former PDP and BJP member who was appointed Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in September 2022. He is considered to be close to the central government.
3. What is the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD)? The PAGD is an alliance of political parties in Jammu and Kashmir that was formed in September 2019 to demand the restoration of Article 370.
4. Why is the Congress facing internal divisions? The Congress has been plagued by internal divisions over the issue of supporting Ghulam Nabi Azad and his new party, the Democratic Azad Party.
5. What is the future of politics in Jammu and Kashmir? The political future of Jammu and Kashmir remains uncertain. The PAGD is demanding the restoration of Article 370, while the central government has indicated that it is not willing to do so. The outcome of the upcoming Assembly elections, expected to be held in the near future, will play a crucial role in shaping the state's political trajectory.
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