The proxy parties performed poorly in their constituencies, with Apni Party’s Zafar Iqbal Manhas receiving only 13.86 per cent of the votes Anantnag, and DPAP’s Mohammad Saleem Paray securing just 2.49 per cent. In Srinagar..

The Srinagar constituency in Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) witnessed 37.98 per cent voting on Monday in the first Lok Sabha election in the valley since the scrapping of Article 370 in 2019, with the Election Commission (EC) stating that it was the "highest turnout in decades".

The party had decided to field advocate Mohammad Saleem Parray instead of Azad from the constituency, DPAP provincial president Mohammad Amin Bhat told reporters in Anantnag.

The recent meeting between BJP national general secretary, in-charge, Jammu and Kashmir, Tarun Chugh, PC president Sajad Gani Lone and Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari in Baramulla on Friday indicates something could be afoot.

PDP Parliamentary Board Chief Sartaj Madni on Sunday announced the party candidates for the three seats of Kashmir.

With 20 lakh consumers impacted by the situation political parties are gearing up to exploit the problem while canvassing for votes

Azad expressed concerns over the potential form of statehood proposed by the central government, stating that any arrangement resembling the governance structure of Delhi or Puducherry, where decisions are subject to approval by the Lieutenant Governor, would be unacceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Azad left the Congress in 2022, ending his five-decade-long association with the party, and floated his own political outfit-Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP).

The senior politician, who served as Chief Minister of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir three times, reminded Azad of the NC's support for his Rajya Sabha seat in 2015.

“If my party is elected to power we will make sure free electricity and free ration for the poor and needy people,” Added Azad. 

Azad emphasised the necessity for comprehensive preparations, stating, "We must be ready to triumph in every constituency, as our party is the sole trustworthy choice for the people. Others have misled and failed to serve their interests."

The DPAP chief’s announcement has left political analysts guessing the affect this will have on the Congress and other regional parties. They are of the view that this will be helpful for the Bharatiya Janata Party, which will reap significant political dividends in Jammu region.