PDP leader Beigh hints at joining ‘third front’ in J&K
SRINAGAR: In J&K, the third front seems to be in offing after founding member of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, Muzuffar Hussain Beigh dropped hints of considering to join the third front and called Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Lone as his ‘son’ and his party as ‘home’.
After the BJP withdrew its support from the PDP in June, there have been efforts of form a government with an alternative front comprising Sajjad Lone and PDP dissident legislators led by former minister and legislator Imran Reza Ansari.
Beigh’s statement has given rise to speculation of shaping up of a new political alignment.
“I am a friend of his father. I prepared the constitution for the Peoples Conference (PC). I contested the elections and on basis of that, PC got registered as a political party. PC is like home to me and Sajjad is like a son. If Sajjad Lone is interested that there should be a third force, it could be considered. It should be encouraged because people are looking for something new and different.’’
When asked whether he will be part of the new front, Beigh said that he would want to see the reaction of the PDP leadership.
‘PDP BETRAYED WORKERS’
Beigh said the PDP had betrayed its workers and legislators by boycotting the polls. He said he was not consulted when his party decided to follow the footsteps of the National Conference and boycott the civic polls.
“I don’t understand the logic to boycott elections when the decision on the Article 35A has to be taken by the Supreme Court,’’ he said.
Beigh said the PDP has deprived its workers of an opportunity to connect with the people “The space has been occupied now. Politics space doesn’t leave any vacuum. Politics doesn’t wait for the people who boycott elections,” he said.
Lashing out at the PDP leadership, Beigh, who served as the deputy CM during the PDP-Congress coalition government, said when in power, PDP failed on the delivery and governance front.
“There was development deficit and funds were unutilised.’’ He also held politicians responsible for killings in Kashmir. “No matter who is killed, it is their families who suffer.”
Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Lone said he was humbled by his (Beigh’s) statement. A person of his stature, experience and intellect can be the defining attribute of the emerging third party, he tweeted.
PDP tried to play it down and termed Beigh as one of the senior leaders of the party whose grievances could be redressed. “This is not the time to be divided. We should think in terms of getting together as Kashmir is passing through a difficult phase,’’ PDP chief spokesman said.
After Sajjad Lone and his allies, including BJP, managed to win a good chunk of seats in urban local body and panchayat elections, efforts are being made to cobble an alliance of legislators which could form the government with the help of the BJP.
Sources close to Beigh, however, said this was not the first time when he has spoken against the party leadership.