A new political party in the offing in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: With top political leaders including three former chief ministers under detention, consultation is on to launch a new political party in J&K, leaders familiar with the matter said.

More than a dozen former ministers and legislators will be part of this new party and will be led by two former ministers, Altaf Bukhari and Ghulam Hassan Mir.

Former minister and chairman of Democratic Party Nationalist, Ghulam Hassan Mir confirmed that consultation of the new party has been going on. “It won’t be like any third front but a new political party with new ideas.’’

Mir has been minister in PDP– Congress government and later in NC-Congress coalition government in the erstwhile state. He was also one of the founding members of the PDP when it was formed in 1999. Former minister Altaf Bukhari, who is seen as the chief ministerial face of this new party, told HT the new party will be there. “We had long discussion on this. It will work for the people of J&K who need relief and shoulder to cry.’’

Bukhari said the party will be J&K centric and will have leaders from both Jammu as well as Kashmir and won’t be confined to Kashmir only. “The focus of new party will not be emotional slogans but to bring relief to the people.’’

Javeed Baig, former legislator from Baramulla and senior PDP leader who was expelled recently after he met foreign delegation said the new party will be formed in J&K to mitigate problems of the common people. “Our slogans will be those which can be achieved, we will never raise slogans or promises which we can’t fulfil and achieve. ,’’ he said.

People familiar with the matter said the consultative phase to form the new party is almost over and a committee has also been formed which has been authorised to frame the constitution of this new political party.

They added that three former ministers who had remained in government in the past will be the prominent faces of this new political party which will strive for the statehood, domicile rights and safety of jobs for J&K.

HT spoke to half a dozen leaders who will be part of this new party and they all confirmed that party’s name has also been discussed which will be close to common people.

Sources said the party could be announced by the end of this month or in the beginning of next month once the constitution of the party will be ready and members of this party will also take part in the elections whenever polls will be held in UT.

Sources said the party will have leaders from all the parties like PDP, NC, Congress and people who have been contesting polls in the J&K as individuals. However, it’s not clear whether, the party will be formed before the Kashmiri politicians will be meeting Prime Minister and Union home minister or the party’s name will be announced after the meetings with PM. Party leaders, however, said the meeting with PM and HM can take place once the name of party will be announced.

MORE THAN A DOZEN FORMER MINISTERS AND LEGISLATORS TO BE PART OF NEW PARTY