Several leaders from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are turning to poetry for solace after being denied tickets for upcoming elections. These leaders, who stayed with the PDP despite a significant exodus following the abrogation of Article 370, have announced their departure from the party.
Aijaz Ahmad Mir, a former PDP MLA from Wachi constituency in Shopian, South Kashmir, expressed his frustration by quoting lines from Jaun Elia’s poem on X (formerly Twitter). The lines, “Wafa iḳhlas qurbani mohabbat, ab in lafzon ka pichha kyun karen ham” (Loyalty, sincerity, sacrifice, love, why anyone will go after with these words now?), reflect his disappointment after being denied a ticket. Mir was detained in August 2019 and held in the Santoor Hotel, which was converted into a sub-jail.
Mir has updated his X bio to reflect his former roles, now listing himself as a “Former MLA, politician, social activist,” while keeping a photo with PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
PDP’s chief spokesperson, Suhail Bukhari, who has also quoted Jaun Elia, resigned from the party after his ticket denial. Bukhari criticized the PDP for failing to acknowledge the loyalty of those who stayed during the party’s turbulent times. He expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s ticket distribution process and announced his resignation from both his role as chief spokesperson and as a basic member of the party.
Dr. Harbaksh Singh, another significant PDP figure, updated his X bio to reflect his new roles after resigning from the PDP. Singh, who won a district development council seat from Tral in South Kashmir in 2020, stated that the party should have consulted senior leaders before announcing new mandates. Singh has joined Engineer Rashid’s Awami Itihad Party (AIP), believing it will bring positive change to both North and South Kashmir.
The PDP is currently in a state of turmoil following the release of its initial candidate list for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The list includes Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, contesting the Bijbehara seat, and Abdul Rehman Veeri, Sartaj Ahmad Madani, Dr. Mehboob Beg, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Gh Mohi-ud-din Wani, Waheed-ur Rehman Parra, and Rafiq Ahmad Naik for various constituencies. This announcement has sparked internal conflict within the party, as many loyal members feel overlooked. Since the abrogation of Article 370, about 80 percent of the PDP’s leaders have left the party, with many expected to rejoin and potentially receive tickets.