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| Fear of further rebellion, Madhav's visit unnerve PDP | | 14 MLAs call on Sajjad Lone, hold secret meeting | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 11: Amid fears of a further rebellion, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is unnerved after Bharatiya Janta Party(BJP)'s senior leader and point man on Kashmir Ram Madhav visited Kashmir.
On August 8, Madhav made a surprise visit to Kashmir, to hold secret talks with some senior leaders, especially separatist-turned-mainstream leader Sajjad Gani Lone, who is seen among the key aspirants for the chair of Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir as a part of the new and prospective alliance with BJP.
Soon after Madhav held talks with Sajjad, the rebel faction of the PDP, headed by Imran Reza Ansari threw up another surprise.
While till now Imran was seen enjoying support of only six MLAs from his party, now the support seems to have expanded "alarmingly."
Sources said as many as 14 fourteen MLAs from PDP's rebel faction called on Sajjad at his Gupkar residence and held deliberations with him for around three hours.
Sources said the MLAs unanimously agreed to see Sajjad as the new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Reports about such a big number of MLAs joining the rebels, has unnerved the PDP leadership.
"See fourteen MLAs going against party whip is half of our strength, so it's a point of serious concern because the meeting(with Sajjad) suggests that half our strength in the Assembly has slipped from our hands," said a PDP leader on condition of anonymity.
Sources said the rebel group was looking for support of only 14 MLAs from PDP. "25 of BJP, 14 of PDP, 2 of Sajjad makes 41. So all what is needed more to make it to the magic number of 44 is just three more, which is no big deal if independents join in," said a political observer on the condition of anonymity.
Sources said the development has unnerved the PDP high command, who had recently chaired a series of meetings to overcome the rebellion announced by Ansari.
What has added to the chaos is that even the MLAs, who claim to be "Mehbooba's loyalists" are in touch with the rebels.
Sources said given the "continued secret onslaught" by the rebels, Mehbooba may call a fresh meeting of her party loyalists.
Despite repeated attempts, Ansari or Sajjad Lone couldn't be contacted for comments.
But Sajjad's Secretary confirmed about the meeting with PDP MLAs. "The meeting was held but I don't what transpired or why it was held," the Secretary said and dropped the phone. |
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