Mehbooba Mufti’s uncle quits as PDP vicepresident to placate rebels

After rebellion from several legislators, close relatives of former J&K chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti have started taking a back seat, with Sartaj Madni resigning on Monday as vice president of the party.

Madni was appointed the vice president of the PDP last year by Mehbooba Mufti by sidelining several top leaders of the party. Madni, who is maternal uncle of Mufti, had lost the assembly election from south Kashmir. However, he was given an important portfolio as Mufti wanted to tighten the grip of her family over the party after demise of her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Madni sent his resignation to the PDP president in the morning. “I have submitted my resignation in the interest of the party and its cadres,’’ said Sartaj Madni. For past many days, pressure was building up on the PDP president to revamp the party leadership. PDP sources close to the former chief minister term it as a first step towards the party reshuffle.

“When Mehbooba Mufti was running affairs of the state as chief minister, it was Madni who was the most powerful person within the party. Even legislators would have to approach him for redressal of grievances,’’ said a legislator.

After the BJP withdrew its support from the government and Mehbooba Mufti resigned as chief minister last month, many legislators revolted against the party and blamed Mufti for promoting her close relatives like her brother, Tasaduq Mufti who was brought into cabinet, and maternal uncle, Sartaj Madni who was given a key position in the party. Some other relatives were also given important assignments in the party and government.

The rebellion within the PDP is led by former minister Imran Reza Ansari who is the legislator from Pattan.

Later, five other legislators joined Ansari and demanded that close relatives should be shunted out from the party.

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