The resignation of senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad from all the positions and primary membership of the party is observed as a likely blow to the Congress in forthcoming elections in few states and especially in the Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir. While adverse impact of his severing bond with Congress may be limited and through his friend-colleagues in Himachal and Rajasthan, the brunt may be severe in his home state Jammu Kashmir which may go to the polls shortly.
His resignation that followed after that of Kapil Sibal, Anand Sharma and few others at least culminated in the end of the so-called G-23 group within Congress that has been posing some challenge to the party for the last one and half years.
a group of disgruntled congressmen who are unhappy with the way the party is being run by the Gandhis. Sharma's resignation comes days after GhulamNabi Azad resigned from the campaign committee in Jammu and Kashmir.
It could not be a coincidence but a well thought out plan and a case of solidarity for a like-minded colleague, who has been giving calls to party bosses to set their house in order if the grand old party is to perform at the hustings in the states ahead of 2024. These elections are crucial as they will be indicators and also rejuvenate the party workers at the ground level.
Sharma was appointed the chairman of the steering committee to steer the party through the elections. Congress sees it as a big opportunity to make a comeback as the BJP's government in the state faces anti-incumbency and also displeasure from various sections of voters which the congress could capitalize on. But Sharma was left out if not insulted by the party's high command after this. He hasn't been invited to the 20-odd meeting held since he became chairman. He wasn't part of the consultations held by central party observer BhupeshBaghel on August 7 in New Delhi and which might have been the reason for his resignation. Though Sharma may be still very much a congressman,
Following Azad's resignation, it signals a divided house in Himachal Pradesh where Sharma has his ancestral house and clout. Congress party had won Assembly and Parliamentary by-elections held in October 2021 under the then-party president Kuldeep Singh Rathore. But after that the party started wilting. Kajal and Lakhwinder Rana, two of its MLAs joined the BJP. Moreover, the growth of AAP in HP is adding to its woes.
The Congress party high command has reacted sharply to the contents of resignation letter accusing Azad of betraying at a crucial time when the party is taking head-on with the Modi Government. Congress has accused Azad for being remote controlled by Narendra Modi and his weakness for positions
Hours after Azad quit the Congress, his loyalists in Jammu Kashmir Congress, five senior party leaders including two former ministers resigned the party's basic membership with sources saying more are likely to go. Former ministers R S Chib and G M Saroori, former MLA Mohammad Amin Bhat, former MLC Naresh Gupta and party leader Salman Nizami resigned in support of Azad. These leaders and a few others like former minister Jugal Kishore and Haji Abdul Rashid, Chowdhary, Mohd Akram and Gulzar Ahmad Wani. Muneer Ahmad Mir had earlier resigned whatever the party positions they were holding to build up pressure on the Congress high command. Most of these leaders, who are seen to be loyal to Azad, are camping in New Delhi.
Azad has not opened up his cards but political observers feel that Azad and his associates will do their best to damage the Congress prospects if any in the coming election. Further, Azad is likely to play an important and active role in the politics of Jammu Kashmir that would brighten the prospectus of BJP dream to have its government and its own Chief Minister in Jammu Kashmir using Azad's clout directly or indirectly. The possibility of Azad being offered the stewardship to achieve what the BJP wants in J&K is not ruled out.
