‎Srinagar, Nov 5 (KNS): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday dismissed speculation about his return to active politics in Jammu and Kashmir amid the latest political developments, saying he had neither held discussions with any political leader nor initiated any move towards forming a new political alliance.
‎
‎In an exclusive interview with Kashmir News Service (KNS), Azad rejected reports linking him to a possible political formation involving Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, who recently announced his departure from the National Conference, and Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid.
‎
‎“I have not spoken to anyone. I am not in touch with anyone regarding any such arrangement. Nobody has approached me, and I have approached nobody,” Azad said.
‎
‎The former Chief Minister said he had been receiving numerous messages and recordings over the past two days suggesting that he was preparing to return to Kashmir and hold consultations with political leaders following the developments within the ruling National Conference.
‎
‎“For the past two days, I have received dozens of recordings from people asking what is happening in Kashmir and whether I am forming a party with Ruhullah Sahib or someone else. All this is completely wrong,” he said.
‎
‎Azad said reports claiming that he had already reached Kashmir for political consultations were equally unfounded, pointing out that he was in New Delhi and had not scheduled any visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
‎
‎“I am sitting in Delhi, and some channels are saying I have reached Kashmir. I have not even made a programme to visit Kashmir or Jammu. Yet they have already sent me there through their channels,” he remarked.
‎
‎Asked whether he was considering joining hands with Ruhullah, Engineer Rashid or other political figures amid speculation about a possible realignment in Jammu and Kashmir, Azad maintained that no such discussions had taken place.
‎
‎He said his willingness to communicate with political leaders should not be interpreted as evidence of an emerging political arrangement.
‎
‎“I can talk to anyone. I am not an enemy of anybody. But that does not mean the stories being circulated are true,” he said.
‎
‎The former Chief Minister's remarks come amid heightened political activity following Ruhullah's announcement that he was severing ties with the National Conference and resigning as Srinagar Member of Parliament.
‎
‎The development, coupled with discontent among a section of NC legislators following the recent cabinet expansion, has triggered speculation about possible changes in Jammu and Kashmir's political landscape.
‎
‎Azad, however, declined to attach wider political significance to Ruhullah's decision, describing it as an internal matter of the National Conference.
‎
‎“People join political parties and people leave them. I also left the Congress because there were internal problems. They may have their own internal issues.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelIt is their personal matter, and I do not want to interfere,” he said.
‎
‎He described the National Conference as one of the major political parties and said internal disagreements and departures were not unusual in large political organisations.
‎
‎“The National Conference is a very big party, almost like the Congress in its political standing. It is counted among the major parties. Every big party has internal problems. Some people come, some people go,” Azad said.
‎
‎Asked whether the recent developments could lead to a major political shift in Jammu and Kashmir, Azad played down the possibility of an immediate upheaval.
‎
‎He said political uncertainty and internal differences were common across political systems and should not necessarily be viewed as signs of a larger crisis.
‎
‎“Political unrest exists in many parts of the world, in many states of India and within political parties. Jammu and Kashmir is also part of that world. People come and go, governments are formed and governments continue. I do not think these developments will make such a big difference,” he said.
‎
‎Recalling his own tenure as Chief Minister, Azad said political divisions had repeatedly affected Jammu and Kashmir without delivering any meaningful benefit to its people.
‎
‎“Even when I was Chief Minister, there was a breakup. These breakups have been happening in Jammu and Kashmir for years. Nobody benefited from them. It is the state, its administrative system and its people who have suffered,” he said.
‎
‎Azad also expressed concern over the circulation of unverified reports suggesting political meetings, alliances and movements of leaders that had not actually taken place.
‎
‎He said social media had created opportunities for young people but stressed that credibility and verification remained essential to responsible journalism.
‎
‎“Social media has provided employment to many young people, and that is a good thing. I am not against it. But credibility is the most important thing in journalism. Information must be confirmed before it is circulated,” he said.
‎
‎The former Chief Minister urged journalists and political leaders alike to verify claims before circulating or reacting to them, saying unsubstantiated reports could create unnecessary confusion at a time when Jammu and Kashmir was already facing several challenges.
‎
‎He also maintained that political differences should not turn into personal attacks and that leaders should communicate directly whenever statements or claims attributed to one another required clarification.
‎
‎Azad, who formed his own political party after quitting the Congress in 2022, did not indicate any immediate plans for renewed political activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
‎
‎He reiterated that speculation about his return, meetings with political leaders or involvement in a new political front was without foundation. (KNS)