Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 31: In a major setback to National Conference, Independent MLA Bakir Hussain Rizvi, who had won Zanskar Assembly segment with the support of the NC, today attended PDP Legislature Party meeting called by the party president Mehbooba Mufti here tonight.
The open support of Rizvi to the PDP has also delivered setback to the prospectus of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was banking on the support of Independents and Others to retain his Rajya Sabha seat in February 7 elections.
Bakir Rizvi had won Zanskar seat in Kargil district with the support of National Conference. The NC had even been counting its strength as 16 by adding Rizvi into the tally of 15.
PDP MPs, MLAs and MLCs met at the official residence of party patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed here at dinner tonight, hosted by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.
Though party sources described the meeting as “introductory’’, it assumed significance as it comes at a time when Rajya Sabha elections were nearing, which the PDP was contesting in alliance with BJP.
Apart from strategy for Rajya Sabha elections, the PDP leaders also discussed formation of Government with the BJP in the State, sources said.
Bakir Rizvi’s open support to the PDP could boost prospectus of PDP-BJP, which was trying to win all four seats of Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir, sources said.
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