Ahead of Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti’s visit to Jammu, over 50 PDP workers, including prominent youth leader Vikram Singh, on Friday quit the party and joined the BJP in the presence former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta and state president Ravinder Raina.
After holding a series of meetings with Valley-based leaders, Mehbooba is going to start a similar exercise in Jammu from July 29 to keep the PDP’s flock together in the region. Two day before Mehbooba’s visit, the resignation of party workers speaks of the growing discontent among the cadre.
After joining the BJP, Vikram Singh said the PDP had failed to fulfil wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. “Instead of governing in an impartial and balanced manner, the PDP leadership had failed to take Jammu and Ladakh into confidence,” he alleged while adding that a large number of party workers were feeling suffocated and ignored.
“We worked with dedication and commitment towards the party but those at the helm ignored the Jammu region,” he alleged, adding that instead of recognising the work of Jammu-based workers, the PDP leadership had discriminated against them.
A prominent youth wing leader of the party, Vikram Singh, had lodged a written complaint with the SSP, Kathua, against BJP leader Choudhary Lal Singh’s brother Rajinder Singh for using abusive language against former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. It was after Vikram’s complaint that Rajinder Singh was booked and arrested.
PDP youth leader Vikram Singh Bhadwal and 50 PDP workers join BJP ahead of Mehbooba’s visit
