Prominent Leaders Resign from DPAP and JK Apni Party, Likely to Join PDP

Anantnag, Aug 20: Choudhary Haroon Khatana, a prominent tribal leader from the Kokernag area of Anantnag district, has resigned from the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), stepping down from all his positions, including the role of general secretary and basic membership. Khatana, who was previously associated with the National Conference during the District Development Council elections, is expected to join the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) soon, with a final decision likely within a day or two. The Kokernag assembly segment, now reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) after the recent delimitation, has attracted interest from several political parties, with Khatana confirming that multiple groups have reached out to him. He plans to make a decision after consulting with his workers.

In a related development, senior leader Zafar Iqbal Manhas has also resigned from his basic membership in the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party. Manhas, who was a candidate for the Rajouri–Anantnag Parliamentary seat in the recent Lok Sabha elections, stated that he would determine his next steps after receiving feedback from his party workers.