Don’t write off PDP, says Muzaffar Baig
JAMMU: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron Muzaffar Hussain Baig on Monday said that the decision of boycotting the local body elections was a mistake by the party.
“After Farooq Abdullah took the decision to boycott the polls for defending Article 35A, Mehbooba Mufti followed suit,” Baig said.
He said, “A sub-judice matter may take years to decide, does that mean both Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti will keep on boycotting elections until then? PDP took the decision to boycott without consulting me as I was in New Delhi at that time,” Baig said at a function organised on the death anniversary of the late J&K leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Both National Conference and PDP had boycotted the local body polls in the state over the legal challenge to the Constitution’s Article 35A.
PDP patron said, “Few (PDP leaders) who have left party and joined NC feel that the party (NC) may be coming back to power. The people who always want to remain in power and position, switch parties on the ascendency.”
“Yes, PDP has made mistakes, but do not write us off . PDP will remain a strong force and those who feel that party is finished, are mistaken. It is a challenge to revive the party but we need to correct our mistakes”, he said.
Many former PDP leaders have left the party recently including former minister, Javed Mustafa Mir and former MLA Abbas Wani, joining NC or Sajad Lone’s Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference.