 Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
Kishtwar, Sept 27: The hypocrisy and arrogance of the People's Democratic Party got exposed on Thursday after it sought an explanation from its State Youth General Secretary Umar Malik over the allegation that he accompanied his mother at the time of filing of her nomination papers as an independent candidate from ward No. 7 of Municipal Committee Kishtwar while at the same time the party suspended its District Youth Coordinator Naseer Ahmed Bagban soon after he filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate from ward No. 12 of the Kishtwar Municipal Committee.
As per the details available with Early Times, the announcement with regard to suspension of Bagban was made by PDP District President Kishtwar, Advocate Sheikh Nasir Hussain, during a press conference. Hussain said that Bagban has been suspended from the party for defying the party decision not to participate in the ULD and Panchayats polls in view of government of India's stand on Article 35-A.
He said the party functionary in question filed his nomination as a candidate for ULB polls from ward no. 12 Municipal Committee Kishtwar and hence has acted against the interests and directives of party high command.
He said that beside suspending Bagban, explanation has also been called from another youth leader Umar Malik who is state youth general secretary for his alleged undermining the directions passed by the party to its leaders and cadres that the party will not participate in the Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies elections at present.
Explanation was sought from the youth leader on the reports that his mother has filed nomination papers in the ensuing ULB polls from ward No 7. of Kishtwar Municipal Committee.
"Umar has been asked to explain his position within 15 days failing which disciplinary action will be initiated against him," Sheikh said. He reiterated that the present poll was another attempt to impose its will on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to Early Times on the sidelines of the press conference which was aimed to announce the suspension of the party leaders as we Youth leader suspended for filing nomination papers, but explanation sought from another leader for accompanying mother to file papers
To a question whether accompanying his mother is a crime, Sheikh Nasir while downplaying the question said that explanation has been called on the basis of the reports of his participation in poll process.
"There is a set procedure in party. We have not suspended him. What we have done is only to seek explanation from him. Let him explain his position first," Sheikh said.
To a question whether PDP will revisit the decision of poll boycott as, PDP leader said that it is up to party Political Affair Committee to take such decision and added that they are only following the party directions and are trying to implement the same on ground. He also denied the allegations of using proxy candidates in the ULB elections.
He also slammed MLA Kishtwar Sunil Kumar Sharma for luring the voters on the name of providing the jobs to unemployed youths in Pakal-Dool Power projects.
To a question whether PDP Youth leader's mother is an active worker of PDP, Sheikh Nasir said no, but he failed to justify the party call with regard to seeking an explanation from the youth leader who did no crime even though he decided to accompany his mother.
Speaking to Early Times, Umar Malik said that he did not accompany his mother and added that his mother is an independent woman and reserves the right to choose what she feels fit for herself.
He said that though being a son he must have accompanied her, instead he preferred to stay away as he did not want to go against the party stand that has decided to boycott the elections to ULB and Panchayats. He said that he had yet to receive explanation notice from the party and added that as and when he receive the same, he will explain his position.
Bagban while reacting over the issue said that he decided to contest the elections after the people from his ward feel that he can represent them in municipality. | 