J&K: Apni Party scuttles PAGD chance to claim DDC in Shopian
By taking NC and PDP candidates, Apni Party has scuttled PAGD’s chances of taking control of the Shopian DDC. If the remaining three more Independent candidates also join the Apni Party, Bukhari would be able to stake claim to the Shopian DDC.
Over the last two days, the Altaf Bukhari-led JK Apni Party has claimed that three candidates — one Independent and one each from the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party — who won the District Development Council elections from constituencies in Shopian, have joined its ranks.
With this, the JK Apni Party’s tally in the Shopian DDC will reach five, but it will still be some distance from crossing the majority mark in the 14-member strong council. Originally, Apni Party candidates had won from only two constituencies in Shopian district — Kanjiullar and Keller II.
The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) candidates won seven seats (National Conference – 3 and PDP – 4). With the support of the lone winning candidate from Congress, Nigeena Akhter from Chitragam, it could have taken the council. But since the anti-defection laws do not apply to the winning candidates of the DDCs, the PAGD does not have any recourse when its winning candidates shift allegiance.
By taking NC and PDP candidates, Apni Party has scuttled PAGD’s chances of taking control of the Shopian DDC. If the remaining three more Independent candidates also join the Apni Party, Bukhari would be able to stake claim to the Shopian DDC.
On Friday, Apni Party issued a statement claiming that Yasmeena Jan, a DDC member from Imam Sahib-I seat in Shopian, has joined the JKAP. Jan had won the seat on a National Conference ticket