PDP in nepotism row over Mehbooba Mufti's uncle

A major row erupted on Friday after J&K's ruling People's Democratic Party vice president, Sartaj Madni's son, Syed Aroot Madni was appointed executive officer in J&K Khadi and Village Industries Board (JKVIB). Sartaj Madni is Mehbooba Mufti's uncle.

Terming it as "brazen nepotism", Opposition party National Conference (NC) said the Mehbooba Mufti-led government has taken the patience of unemployed youth for granted and that they should not portray it as "miraculous coincidence".

"PDP's tall rhetoric has fallen flat on its face and this recent list of the JKVIB is another proof of the party's insidious and nepotistic style of politics. The list includes not only the son of PDP vice president, Syed Aroot Madni but PDP General Secretary Peerzada Mansoor's nephew, Peer Kashif Hussain, who figures at serial number 2 in the waiting list," said Junaid Azim Mattu, NC state spokesperson.

Mattu alleged that most of the people figuring in the final list issued by KVIB are either children of PDP leaders' close associates or have direct patronage from the powers that be. "The CM is directly culpable for this open loot and plunder she has authorised in the state. The institutions of the state have been ravaged by the PDP and the chief minister has institutionalised corruption by her and her family members," he said

Demanding an immediate independent probe, the NC state spokesperson said that this was a cruel joke made at J&K's youth who are reeling under unprecedented unemployment and hopelessness, while children of PDP leaders are being "sneaked into" government departments and boards.