Another senior PDP MLA raises banner of revolt against Mehbooba

There is a brother, uncle, maternal uncle and other relatives who are running the show in party, says PDP MLA

Raising a banner of revolt against his party chief Mehbooba Mufti, senior PDP legislator Imran Reza Ansari on Monday said he is not ready to be a part of a ‘family affairs party’ and is ready to join any other political outfit for the sake of people. Ansari is the second PDP legislator who has made strong allegations against Mehbooba since the collapse of the J&K government after the BJP pulled out of it last month.

On Sunday, Imran’s uncle, Abid Reza Ansari who is legislator from Zadibal constituency in Srinagar, had acused Mehbooba for converting the party into a family fiefdom.

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Raising a banner of revolt against his party chief Mehbooba Mufti, senior Peoples Democratic Party legislator Imran Reza Ansari on Monday said he is not ready to be a part of a ‘family affairs party’ and is ready to join any other political outfit.

Ansari is the second PDP legislator who has made strong allegations against Mehbooba since the collapse of the J&K government.

On Sunday, Imran’s uncle, Abid Reza Ansari who is legislator from Zadibal constituency in Srinagar, had accused Mehbooba for converting the party into a family fiefdom.

Abid had also blamed the PDP chief of destroying the party by getting her relatives and black sheep into it.

Ansari, who is a legislator from Pattan constituency, while touring his constituency, said: “I have already conveyed to Mehbooba Mufti that genuine workers are feeling suffocated as there are many black sheep in the party.”

He claimed that PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed never encouraged that his relatives should be inducted in the party. “Now there is brother, uncle, maternal uncle and other relatives who are running this show,’’ says Ansari, in a video that has gone viral on social media.

Ansari, a former higher education minister, who is also a prominent Shia cleric, told HT: “I flagged this issue when Mehbooba Mufti inducted her brother into cabinet. I am not alone in this party, there are many legislators who were against turning PDP into a family affairs party.” He said he is ready to change his party for the sake of people as he has been chosen by the people. “I have not come through backdoor,’’ Ansari added.

He said the PDP leadership never took him or other leaders into confidence.

“I am ready for elections and even touring my constituency,’’ said Ansari.

Meanwhile, former minister and PDP chief spokesman Naem Akhtar said the party will examine the statements of two legislators.

“After studying these statements we will come up with a proper response,’’ the former minister added.

I have already conveyed to Mehbooba Mufti that genuine workers are feeling suffocated as there are many black sheep in the party. IMRAN REZA ANSARI, senior PDP legislator