Former Kashmiri legislator, M Y Tarigami, said on Monday that he would try to save the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) from disintegrating. The PAGD is a conglomerate of political parties formed to oppose the abrogation of Article 370.
Tarigami, a senior politician from the Communist Party of India is a four-time legislator and serves as the spokesperson for the PAGD, which was formed in 2019.
“The emergence of PAGD was due to a crisis which still exists. There have been differences between the constituents recently which are out in public. I will still try to mend the gaps that have emerged,” Tarigami said in a press conference held at his Srinagar residence on Monday.
While speaking at the conference, Tarigami mentioned that he plans to hold meetings among the constituents of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to iron out any emerging issues. This comes after the National Conference (NC), a key member of the alliance, announced that it would be fielding candidates on all seats in the region, alongside the Indian National Congress (INC).
Alliance for Restoring Article 370 in Disarray
The PAGD was formed a day before the federal government abrogated Article 370, a provision of the Indian constitution that gave Jammu and Kashmir a semi-autonomous status.
The alliance had signatories from representatives of at least six regional political parties and three national level parties, including the INC.
Over the span of five years, the PAGD saw its power decline, as the INC distanced itself from the alliance and at least four regional parties broke away.
However, with the two main regional forces, the NC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), still part of the PAGD, the alliance remained a key opposition group advocating for the restoration of J&K’s autonomy.
Last week, the NC formed an electoral alliance with the INC ahead of the upcoming 2024 general elections. The NC decided to contest all three seats from the Kashmir province, while the INC got Jammu's two seat. The race for the lone seat in Ladakh remains undecided.
Following the NC's announced move, the PDP was left alienated, triggering a war of words between the two parties.
“I am not saying I will be successful in resolving the issues. All I am saying is I will try as a human to bridge the gaps between the constituents. Because the problem we are facing is much bigger than an election. Without article 370 our existence is at threat,” Tarigami said.
The ongoing crisis is expected to be the final blow to the alliance and the demand for the return of Article 370.
Last week, BJP state spokesperson Altaf Thakur issued a statement, noting that his party had predicted the downfall of the PAGD long ago.