Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Jan 27: Amid growing revolt within the party, most of the former PDP legislators are keeping suspense over their decision of continuing with the party. As many as fourteen MLAs have already left the party. They include, Abid Ansari, Abdul Majeed Padroo, Mushtaq Shah, Haq Khan, Ashraf Mir, Noor Mohammad, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, Rahim Rather, Shahid Tantary, Chowdhary Qamar Ali, Javaid Beigh, Mohammad Abbas Wani, Imran Raza Ansari, Haseeb Drabu and Altaf Bukhari (was exprlled).
Insiders said many others have maintained suspense over their relation with the party. Some of them, they said have rubbished the rumors of their leaving the party.
One of the former MLA, who wished not to be named said that he won't leave the party. "So far I have not thought over it," he said. "Some leaders may be unhappy. So far I have not decided to leave the party," he added.
Another former legislator too evaded the question. "I will talk to you later," he said and dropped the phone, when asked whether he was mulling to leave the PDP.
Former MLA Noorabad Abdul Majeed Padroo termed the reports of leaving the party baseless. He has earlier revolted against the party and even addressed a press conference.
These leaders said that Governor rule is not the solution. "Our people are asking us to be the part of the party that will form the government in the future," they said,.
A former PDP minister recently joined the NC after he was assured that he will be party's candidate from north Kashmir's Sangrama constituency.
"I am still part of the PDP but will consult my people before taking any final decision," another PDP leader said.
However, he alleged that PDP ignored his "contribution and sidelined" him at the behest of some party leaders.
Several former MLAs have revolted against the PDP leadership since the end of PDP-BJP government in the state.
Leading the revolt against Mehbooba, Imran Ansari, who was a minister in her government, called her "incompetent" and accused her of nepotism. He along with Abid Ansari, Abbas Wani have joined the Peoples Conference led by Sajjad Lone. While former minister Basharat Bukhari has joined the National Conference. Altaf, Bukhari, and Haseeb Drabu have not made their plans public. |