IAS-turned-neta Faesal hangs boots

Ex-bureaucrat quits politics a year after he left govt job to float political front in J&K

“Edward S Fellow @HKS; Harvard University. Medico. Fulbright. Centrist.” This was the updated Twitter bio of former IAS officer Shah Faesal on Sunday. There was no mention of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement, a party he had floated last year, clearly hinta Faesal was up for something new.

His party, JKPM, said on Monday Faesal had quit politics. The former bureaucrat could not be contacted immediately for comments. The 37year-old had topped the 2010 civil services exam.

The JKPM's executive committee held an online meeting on Monday to discuss the ongoing political developments in the state, the party said in a statement.

"In the meeting, request of Dr Shah Faesal to spare him from the organisational responsibilities was discussed. Dr Shah Faesal had informed state executive members that he is not in a position to continue with political activities and wants to be freed from the responsibilities of the organisation," the JKPM said.

"Keeping in view this request, it was decided to accept his request so that he can better continue with his life and contribute whichever way he chooses," the party said. The JKPM statement

said it has been unanimously decided to appoint vice president Feroze Peerzada as interim president till formal elections can be held for the post of president.

The committee accepted the resignation of its chairman Javed Mustafa Mir, a former MLA. Also, there is speculation he will head back to the administration after he was told his resignation has not yet been accepted.