While the secular credentials of former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad are well known in Jammu and Kashmir, launching of Democratic Azad Party (DAP) during Navratris has special significance.
The leader has made a comeback in the politics of J&K ahead of assembly polls likely to be held early next year. Azad with the new party could tilt the outcome of voting especially in Muslim dominated areas of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Reasi districts.
However during the press conference Ghulam Nabi Azad specifically mentioned that he was earlier planning to launch his party – Democratic Azad Party – during Shradh (considered inauspicious in Hinduism) and later decided it to launch during Navratris.
Political experts believe that it could be an attempt by the senior leader to strike a chord with the Hindu population of Jammu division that is fed up of rising prices of essential commodities. Azad specifically impressed upon the secular nature of the flag and name of the party to appease both the communities in the UT.
He said that several names of Sanskrit and Urdu were shared with him as party name but he decided to go with a Hindustani name Democratic Azad Party. Azad also said that the colours of the flag of the party – mustard, blue and white – also signify peace and secularism.