In a significant boost to the Aam Aadmi Party’s organisational base in the Chenab Valley, a prominent advocate, a youth activist from Kishtwar and a former journalist formally joined the party at a well-attended ceremony in Doda.
Advocate Mudassir Zargar, who was earlier associated with the National Conference, switched sides citing the AAP’s focus on “honest governance, education and sustainable development”. Mr Zargar, a known legal voice in Doda, was welcomed into the party fold along with Aquib Shah, an influential youth leader from Kishtwar, and Raja Shakeel, who recently quit journalism to enter active politics.
The induction of the three educated, young professionals is being viewed as a reflection of growing disillusionment with traditional parties and an increasing preference among the region’s youth for politics centred on delivery and accountability.
Speaking on the occasion, AAP leader Choudhary Owais said the new entrants were inspired by the governance model of Delhi under Arvind Kejriwal and the recent electoral success of party colleague Mehraj Malik in the Doda assembly segment. “The decision of highly qualified individuals like Advocate Mudassir Zargar, Aquib Shah and Raja Shakeel to join us is a testament to the hope and change the Aam Aadmi Party represents,” Mr Owais said.
Party coordinator Yasir Shafi Mattu described the development as evidence of a larger trend. “The youth of Jammu & Kashmir no longer want dynastic or caste-based politics. They want performance, education and development. These new members embody that aspiration,” he added.
Senior AAP functionaries present at the event included Najeeb Rehman Fani, Gagan Sharma, Faisal Wani and Mohd Rafi.
With the Assembly election victory of Mehraj Malik last year still fresh, the AAP appears to be intensifying its efforts to broaden its footprint in the hitherto difficult terrain of Jammu division’s mountainous districts. Political observers say the entry of articulate, non-traditional faces could help the party challenge the dominance of established regional and national parties in the region.
