Another legislator accuses senior leader Naeem Akhter of ruining party
Though Basharat Bukhari took over charge of his new ministry today, the woes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seem far from over.
All does not seem well in the party as MLA and former minister Abdul Majeed Padder is holding a workers’ meeting to decide the “future strategy”. Another MLA from the Zadibal constituency in Srinagar has accused Cabinet minister Naeem Akhter of ruining the party.
The differences in the party leadership surfaced after two ministers Basharat Bukhari and Imran Raza Ansari resigned hours after another senior party leader Altaf Bukhari was inducted into the Cabinet on Friday.
Abdul Majeed Padder, the MLA from Noorabad in Kulgam, said he had called a meeting of the workers on February 25.
“A district development board meeting is being held on February 23 and I have called a meeting of the workers two days later,” Padder said. “My workers are perturbed that their representative has not been inducted into the Cabinet. So, we will all sit together and discuss things and the future strategy,” he added.
Padder, who was Minister of State in the Cabinet of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, said some of his workers were angry and were considering boycotting the upcoming bypoll to the Anantnag parliamentary seat.
Incidentally, Noorabad has been witnessing high voter turnout in past elections.
MLA Abid Ansari, who represents the Zadibal constituency in Srinagar, and is the uncle of Imran Ansari has also levelled serious allegations against senior party leader and minister Naeem Akhter.
“Naeem has ruined the party and he is influencing the Chief Minister in every decision. Tomorrow, we will have to go to people for vote, but Naeem has no constituency and that is the reason he is ruining the party,” Abid said.
Roads and Buildings Minister and government spokesman Naeem said he would not respond to the MLA’s allegations.
A senior party leader, however, said that there were certainly issues in the party.
“But such issues are everywhere and will be resolved. It is, however, very unfortunate that some party leaders rather than helping the leadership in difficult times are creating problems,” said a party leader who did not wish to be identified.
Mehboob Beg nominated to PAC
The PDP on Monday nominated MP Mehboob Beg to the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the party. The party also nominated Shafi Ahmad Wani, former MLA from Beerwah in Budgam, as the party treasurer. Wani was appointed a day after Congress leader from Beerwah Nazir Ahmad Khan joined the PDP. Wani’s nomination as the treasurer is being seen as the party’s bid to assuage frayed nerves.
‘Party workers mull by poll boycott’
Abdul Majeed Padder, the MLA from Noorabad in Kulgam, has called a meeting of the workers on February 25. “A district development board meeting is being held on February 23 and I have called a meeting of the workers two days later,” Padder said. “My workers are perturbed that their representative has not been inducted into the Cabinet. So, we will all sit together and discuss things and the future strategy,” he added. Padder said some of his workers were considering boycotting the upcoming by poll for the Anantnag parliamentary seat.
