Early Times Report
Srinagar, Aug 17: A few days after 14 MLAs of Peoples Democratic Party called on separatist- turned-mainstream leader Sajjad Gani Lone reposing faith in him for the prospective new alliance with the Bharatiya Janta Party in Jammu and Kashmir, as many as 15 PDP MLAs accompanied the party President Mehbooba Mufti to the funeral of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the national capital.
While the PDP sources said the move aimed at expressing grief with the bereaved BJP, many political faces said it was a "political stunt" to show that Mehbooba has support of one MLA more than her rebel leader Imran Reza Ansari who is openly backing Sajad.
While the PDP has a total of 28 MLAs, 14 of them, which is exactly the half, led by Ansari, had recently reposed faith in Sajad lone. This meant Mehbooba had support of the other half.
But through the "show of power" at Vajpayee's funeral in the national capital, the PDP President seemingly managed to show strength of one MLA more than the rebels.
But a senior National Conference leader termed the PDP's show of power at funeral a "publicity stunt." "If numbers of MLA define grief, that we could have taken more MLAs along but the point is that funeral is not the place for show of power," said a NC leader on the condition of anonymity.
Sources said one of the PDP MLAs phoned his rebel colleague in Srinagar to convey that they were "emotionally blackmailed to attend the funeral." "We were under emotional Atiya Chaar," one of the MLAs is understood have conveyed to the rebels.
Despite repeated attempts the PDP leadership was not available for comments.
PDP's rebel leader Imran Reza Ansari was also no available for comments. |
