Taj Mohiuddin Slams Ghulam Nabi Azad: BJP Link Allegation Fuels Political Storm in Jammu & Kashmir
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 28 June 2025
Political Earthquake in J&K: Taj Mohiuddin Calls Exit from Congress a “Blunder”
In a dramatic turn of events that has set the political landscape of Jammu & Kashmir abuzz, senior Congress leader Taj Mohiuddin has openly criticized former ally Ghulam Nabi Azad, branding his newly floated Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) as being too cozy with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Taj’s remarks, made during a candid interview, underline the deep cracks within the DPAP and shed light on the electorate’s growing disillusionment with splinter parties that appear ideologically vague.
“BJP Le Doobi — Nothing Else”: A Stinging Self-Assessment
In a rare show of introspection, Taj Mohiuddin admitted that joining Azad’s camp was a mistake—one that cost him not only electorally but politically. “BJP le doobi—nothing else,” he said, summing up the widespread perception that DPAP’s ambiguous stand on Article 370, statehood, and electoral alliances alienated Kashmiri voters.
This blunt acknowledgment of defeat is particularly significant because Taj is no political novice. A veteran of multiple electoral battles and long considered a pillar in the Congress setup of Jammu & Kashmir, his shift to DPAP and now back to Congress underscores the volatility of political allegiance in the Valley.
Azad’s ‘Silence’ on Article 370: A Deal Breaker?
One of the most damning critiques from Taj centered around DPAP’s refusal to take a definitive position on the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A—a move by the BJP government in August 2019 that stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional status and statehood.
Taj argued that voters expected DPAP to mount a resistance or at least adopt a clear ideological position. Instead, the party’s measured ambiguity was seen as collaboration or tacit approval of the Modi government’s moves.
“The people of Kashmir are politically aware. They do not forgive silence on fundamental issues,” Taj stated.
Azad’s One Nation, One Election Role: The Final Nail?
Taj also referred to Azad’s nomination to the high-profile One Nation, One Election Committee, a BJP-led central initiative aimed at synchronizing national and state elections. This, according to Taj, further cemented the suspicion that DPAP was aligned with the saffron party.
“It was not about Azad’s personality—he is a good man. But he failed to run the party, to define its purpose, or rally its identity,” Taj noted.
This is a devastating critique not just of Azad’s leadership, but also of DPAP’s organizational clarity, which has struggled to attract mass support since its inception.
DPAP’s Lack of Resources and Ground Support
Taj’s insights also revealed how DPAP lacked the institutional and grassroots framework to function as a viable alternative. Without the backing of mass cadres, financial muscle, or a coherent vision, the party was seen as little more than a vanity platform for Azad—a perception reinforced by poor performances in elections and public meetings.
According to party insiders, DPAP struggled to raise funds, galvanize workers, or establish strong district units outside of a few constituencies.
The Return to Congress: Taj and Saroori Rejoin Grand Old Party
Taj Mohiuddin’s return to the Congress—alongside influential leader Ghulam Mohammad Saroori—marks a significant setback for Azad, who had hoped to rally old Congress loyalists under the DPAP umbrella.
Their comeback is symbolic of a broader trend in J&K politics: the return to traditional parties, even if imperfect, when new alternatives fail to establish credibility.
Congress, despite its own organizational challenges, remains a known entity with a historic legacy in the region—something Taj clearly weighed while making his political U-turn.
What Does This Mean for Azad’s Political Future?
For Ghulam Nabi Azad, a former Chief Minister and stalwart Union Minister, this development represents more than just a personnel loss—it’s a severe blow to his political credibility.
Once considered a potential counterbalance to both BJP and NC-PDP alliances, Azad’s DPAP now appears rudderless, with declining influence, fading media coverage, and growing public skepticism.
Unless the party undertakes a radical strategic overhaul, DPAP risks political irrelevance, especially in a post-370 J&K that demands ideological clarity and active resistance against centralized policies.
Public Reaction: Between Vindication and Frustration
Public reaction to Taj’s statements has been swift and polarizing. Many political observers and citizens feel vindicated in their initial doubts about DPAP’s intentions. Others, particularly youth and civil society voices, have expressed frustration at the repeated political flip-flopping that seems to prioritize careerism over cause.
On social media platforms, hashtags like #BackToCongress and #DPAPexposed have trended regionally, further underlining the eroding trust in new political outfits with ambiguous agendas.
Electoral Impact: Realignment Ahead of Statehood Elections
As Jammu & Kashmir inches closer to long-delayed Assembly elections, Taj Mohiuddin’s critique and return to Congress may influence key voter demographics—especially in regions where DPAP once hoped to be a game-changer.
If more mid-level and grassroots leaders follow Taj and Saroori’s example, DPAP could find itself reduced to a personal platform for Ghulam Nabi Azad rather than a mass movement.
Bottom-Line: Politics of Clarity Vs Convenience
Taj Mohiuddin’s revelations are not just a takedown of one man or one party—they’re a broader indictment of political convenience, strategic ambiguity, and missed opportunities.
In a region where every vote is steeped in emotion, identity, and aspiration, leaders who fail to align with the people’s pulse—on Article 370, statehood, justice, and dignity—will be rejected. That’s the simple message from the people of Kashmir.
Ghulam Nabi Azad’s experiment with neutrality has run into the ground realities of Kashmiri politics, where silence is not strength—it’s seen as surrender.
