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| Junaid Mattu's resignation from NC triggers speculation that he might return to original fold | | Likely to make it big in civic polls | | Jehangir Rashid
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Sept 25: Resignation of National Conference spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu from the party fold here today has given enough scope for rumours that he might return to the party where from he defected and joined National Conference.
Once a darling of Peoples Conference (S) Chairman, Sajad Gani Lone, Mattu took the centre stage while seeking 'freedom' (Azadi) for Kashmiris. He used to preach secessionism though his write-ups in one of the English dailies published from Srinagar.
Mattu was one of the important members of Peoples Conference (S) and was looked upon as deputy of Lone when it comes to leadership skills. At times he used to spew venom against the Union of India and would look like a substitute of Geelani, considered to be a hardliner. However, there was a change of heart and Mattu said goodbye to separatist politics and he like Lone switched to the other side. But instead of sticking with his parent party he joined the National Conference. He received a good response from the leaders of National Conference and was appointed as spokesperson of the party.
Sources told Early Times that Mattu was unhappy with the National Conference's decision of not contesting the upcoming elections for local bodies and Panchayats. This also became evident from his tweet that conveyed the message that he has resigned from the party.
In the tweet he said that he would contest the elections of local bodies and would lock horns in the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) polls. He went on saying that he would not address the media and would not be able to answer the questions of media persons.
Sources said that if Mattu decides to join Peoples Conference (S) then he might make it big in the upcoming elections. Since Peoples Conference (S) is an ally of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) one can expect that the candidates of the party would hold important positions in the SMC and the other local bodies of the valley.
"Given the fact that National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party are not fighting the elections candidates of other parties would receive bounties. In such a scenario one can presume that Junaid Azim Mattu may hold an important position in SMC. In such a way he may turn out as a favourite in managing the civic affairs of the Srinagar city. One cannot rule out the position of Mayor for this former Peoples Conference (S) and National Conference man," said sources. Sources said that in the past Mattu had developed difference with Lone with regard to the mandate for the 2014 assembly elections. He wanted an important position in the party and as the same was denied he defected and joined the National Conference which he left today. The response from National Conference with regard to resignation of Mattu was interesting. The party said that it was pleasing to accept the resignation of party spokesman. This gave enough hints that the party was aware about the plans of Mattu and was waiting for him to bell the cat. |
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