ibn sultan
SRINAGAR, June 29 : Regretting his decision to part ways with the party, senior Congress leader Taj Mohiuddin today said that the Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) is “more inclined” towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In an exclusive interview to The Excelsior, Taj said leaving the Congress party was a “blunder” on his part and that he considers himself the “culprit” of Congress workers and the party, which had honoured him for decades.
“There were minor local issues-nothing to do with the central leadership-that led to my decision to leave the Congress party.
Azad had formed the party, and we thought he could make a difference.
But the party itself did not work,” he said.
He emphasized that although he left DPAP a year ago, it had grown increasingly inclined towards the BJP and failed to take a clear stand on Article 370.
“On Statehood, he could have done something given his influence, but he didn’t.
”On why the DPAP failed, Taj said Azad is a “good person” but “could not run” the party. He added that Azad was seen as aligned with the Modi Government.
“People rejected it-plain and simple. It was perceived as a BJP-backed party.
When he became a member of the panel for One Nation, One Election, it only reinforced the perception that he was aligned with the Modi Government-and that’s why people rejected it,” he said.
He also pointed to a lack of resources.
“There could be many reasons. You need money-and it wasn’t there. Some people had promised they would arrange funds, but they didn’t deliver.”
Reflecting on his own electoral performance, Taj said that had he stayed with Congress, he might not have lost the election.
“I got 25,000 votes, but I didn’t get the Kashmiri vote because the party I joined was seen as associated with the BJP. Not all decisions are right. What’s meant to happen, happens.
I lost-whether because of Altaf Bukhari or my association with DPAP. Even the Apni Party carried the BJP tag,” he said, adding, “BJP le doobi-nothing else.”
The senior Congress leader noted that even if he won elections on his own, “the fact that I was a Minister for 12 years was because the party supported me. Leaving Congress was a blunder. The issues I had were not significant enough to justify leaving.”
Asked whether Azad might return to Congress, Taj Mohiuddin said he doesn’t see it happening. “He has burned his boats. I don’t think he will come back.”
Speaking about Congress during the militancy years, he said the party was nearly decimated, but its workers brought it back to strength.
“I’ve faced bullets, grenades, and IEDs-it’s a long story.
But our workers stood their ground, and we brought Congress to 20 seats. Why not now? There should be more.”
Taj said Congress has a bright future in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have the experience, and we know how to bring things back on track.”
He took a jibe at the BJP, calling it “an illusion,” and said: “They’re not even being honest with themselves.”
On the current political state, he described it as “pathetic,” with an elected Government that has no real power. “They are helpless and can’t do anything.”
He said that in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, a bill for the restoration of Statehood may be brought.
“If that happens, the Assembly may be dissolved, and the National Conference might have to make some sacrifices.”(PTI)
