Several PDP leaders resign, DPAP leaders likely to quit party
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 20: Ahead of Assembly polls, politicians are switching sides in Kashmir with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) facing a revolt as several of its leaders have resigned from the party.
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Several PDP leaders are upset with the functioning of the party leading to their resignations. The resignations followed the release of the PDP’s list of constituency in-charges, which sparked discontent among several members.
The party today issued one more list of the constituency in-charges in J&K. Abdul Gaffar Sofi is in-charge for Anantnag West, Dr Shabir Siddiqui for Pahalgam, Sheikh Nasir Hussain for Inderwal, Sadesh Mahajan for Padder Nagseni and Gulzar Ahmad Dar for DH Pora.
PDP spokesperson Suhail Bukhari, who had been a close aide to party president Mehbooba Mufti, resigned after being denied a mandate to contest from the Wagoora-Kreeri constituency.
Bukhari was reportedly disappointed by the party’s decision to favour former Minister Basharat Bukhari instead, who recently rejoined the PDP.
Speaking to reporters, Bukhari said that under such circumstances, it had become “uncomfortable” for him to remain in the party.
“For the last few days, we have been witnessing that those who stood with the party during tough times were being sidelined, their sacrifices disregarded, and their contributions overlooked. People who left the party during difficult times are now being welcomed back, while those who stayed are being ignored.”
He emphasized that those who remained loyal to the party during challenging periods and worked hard are not being consulted in decision-making processes, which he finds “disheartening.”
Bukhari noted that the party is no longer what it used to be when he, along with others, joined it, stating, “The party is derailing from the principles for which we joined it. I was feeling uncomfortable being there.” He is likely to join Awami Itehad Party (AIP).
Dr. Harbaksh Singh, a senior PDP leader and District Development Council (DDC) member from Tral, resigned and announced his intention to join the AIP.
Besides other disillusioned PDP members, including former MLA Ajaz Mir and over 10 DDC members have also left the party. Mir is in talks with Congress party and AIP.
In the meantime, former Minister Abdul Haq Khan returned to the PDP today after two years. He had distanced himself from the PDP after the Government fell in 2018.
Khan rejoined the PDP in the presence of party chief Mehbooba Mufti, who visited his residence due to his ill health.
Khan was elected to the erstwhile Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir from Kupwara district’s Lolab constituency twice in 2008 and 2014.
Choudhary Haroon Khatana, a prominent tribal leader from Kokernag in Anantnag district, has resigned from the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) and is likely to join the PDP.
The Kokernag Assembly segment, now reserved for Scheduled Tribes following recent delimitation, could see Khatana’s formal shift to the PDP in the coming days. Previously, Khatana was affiliated with the National Conference before moving to the DPAP.
Zafar Iqbal Manhas, vice president of Apni Party, and his son have resigned from the party and are likely to join the Congress party. Manhas said that the next steps will depend on feedback from his workers.
As per sources, several DPAP leaders including two former Legislators from South Kashmir are likely to resign from the party and re-join Congress.
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