Split is wide open in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) after two of its influential MLAs raised banner of revolt against the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti for allegedly converting the party into “family and dynastic fief”.
Post collapse of the PDP-BJP government, former Sports Minister and MLA from Pattan constituency Molvi Imran Reza Ansari and his uncle and MLA from Zadibal constituency Abid Hussain Ansari rebelled against Mehbooba and hinted at creating “Peoples Bloc” with all like-minded party members.
“We had joined the party when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was leading it. He had formed the party against the dynastic and family rule. Peoples Democratic Party has been converted into Family Democratic Party. There are many like-minded people with us. In coming days nobody is going to be with Mehbooba Mufti. Let her be with her Mama, Musa, Chacha and Bhai”, Imran told DNA.
Former Minister said they would talk to the “like-minded” people and discuss future course of action. “We are ready for the elections. There is nothing in mind (about government formation). We are ready to face people. We do not want to keep people in dark. I am not a paratrooper in the party. I am a people’s man”, he said.
Hinting at quitting the PDP, Imran said it better to leave this party before things will fall on them. “What will we do in the party? Few people have hijacked the party. Though I was a minister, I have been conveying to them that we feel chocked”, he said.
Former minister kept the options open of joining another party. “If there is any party in which there is no family raj and is led by a brave leader, I will certainly consider joining it. For the sake of people if I need to change 50 parties I will do it”, he said.
Imran also lambasted PDP for levelling baseless allegations against the BJP. “BJP whole heartedly supported Kashmir. A coterie of PDP leaders tried to create a devil out of BJP. On one side they were sharing power with BJP and on the other side, they were abusing them. Whatever development has taken place in Kashmir it is because of BJP”, he said.
Earlier Imran’s uncle and PDP MLA from Zadibal Abid Hussian Ansari said he has always told Mehbooba Mufti that her decisions were wrong. “It is a family raj party. Her brother was a photographer and he was brought back and made tourism minister. A relative was made commissioner. Another relative is remote controlling from America. We are against the bloodshed. I have left my future to the people of my constituency. Whatever they decide, I will follow that. If they want me to leave PDP, I will do so”, he said
Reacting to their diatribe, senior PDP leader and former Works Minister Naeem Akhtar said they do not want to enter into a slanging match with him (Imran). "They had two MLAs in the family. He (Imran) had four most important portfolios and what did he do to them? Let him do that (hobnobbing with like minded people). No issues", he said
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Mehbooba Mufti")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}