2 more MLAS revolt against Mehbooba
SRINAGAR: Two more MLAS of Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have raised a banner of revolt against the state leadership, joining the ranks of three other rebel leaders who purportedly plan to form a breakaway faction that could later form the government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mlasfromnoorabadandbaramulla, Abdul Majeed Padder and Javid Hassan Baig, respectively, claimed Mehbooba, the former chief minister, “never took them into confidence on crucial issues”. Javid also lent support to former minister Imran Reza Ansari, who was among the first to raise voice against the party leadership.
“Many legislators were humil- iated by the party leadership by promoting those people who didn’t have any standing in the public or were politically immature. For us it was a big humiliation,’’ Baig told HT. “There are many legislators who feel that party was being put at stake.’’
Baig, a first time legislator who was groomed by his uncle, former deputy chief minister and Baramulla MP Muzaffar Hussain Baig, said the day the government fell, he didn’t get an audience with the party president for hours.
“I will take my decision about my future after... a meeting with my uncle and (MP) Baramulla, Muzuffar Baig who is in Delhi.’’
Padder, a former Congress leader who had joined the PDP and was elected from Noorabad to become a minister of state, said, “Whatever Imran Reza Ansari has said about the party and its leadership is true. This time people don’t want governor’s rule, but they want government.’’
Since Mehbooba Mufti resigned as CM, dissident legislators have been rallying around Ansari, who was the first along with his uncle Abid Ansari to revolt against the party leadership, blaming Mehbooba for turning the PDP into family party.
Ansari had said he wouldn’t be in the PDP if it’s headed by Mehbooba Mufti. “After I revolted, many MLAS and senior leaders are in touch with me. They appreciate me for raising the issues,’’ Ansari said, adding that over time, only a handful of leaders will remain with Mehbooba.
Sources said Ansari, who is close to former minister and People’s Conference chairman Sajjad Lone, is also in touch with many legislators to form a breakaway faction within the PDP which could later form the government.
A senior BJP leader, who did not wish to be named, said the party leadership was keeping a close watch on the developments.
“For next three months, there won’t be any big change happening on the ground,’’ he said.
Sources said the party will adopt a new strategy after Mehbooba returns from New Delhi.