In a surprising political development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) withdrew its support for former Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) leader Taj Mohiuddin, who is contesting from the Uri assembly constituency in north Kashmir.
This decision came shortly after Altaf Bukhari, Chairman of the Apni Party, announced his party’s backing of Mohiuddin. The PDP, which had only a day earlier extended its support to Mohiuddin by withdrawing its own candidate from the Uri race, reversed its stance following Bukhari’s announcement.
“In light of the Apni Party extending support to Taj Mohiuddin in the Uri constituency, the PDP has decided to withdraw its support and field its own candidate,” the PDP spokesman Mohit Bhan said
Earlier, at a press conference, Altaf Bukhari announced that his party had decided to support Taj Mohiuddin, who is contesting as an independent candidate.
“Apni Party has decided to extend full support to Taj Mohiuddin in Uri. Consolidation is a must in these elections. Therefore, in the larger interest of the people, we will support like-minded independent candidates whenever and wherever we deem appropriate,” Bukhari said.
Bukhari emphasized that the decision was made for the benefit of the people of Uri and not for any personal or political gain by the Apni Party.
Expressing his gratitude, Mohiuddin thanked Bukhari and the Apni Party for their endorsement.
Taj Mohiuddin, a former Minister from Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, has had a long political career. He resigned from the Congress in August 2022 to join Ghulam Nabi Azad’s DPAP, only to announce his departure from DPAP in August 2023.
