Mir Ehsan    

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti is planning a show of strength to mark the foundation day of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on July 28 in the face of a revolt within the party’s ranks.

Five legislators revolted against Mehbooba Mufti for “promoting dynastic politics” after the PDP lost power following the withdrawal of support by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) last month. The rebellion coincided with reports of attempts by the BJP to form a government with the PDP rebels’ help.

A PDP leader said the party is organising “a big rally” in Srinagar in the last week of July to show its opponents that it remains strong. “The preparations have begun and workers from all parts of the state will attend the rally,’’ the leader said on the condition of anonymity.

Mehbooba Mufti had on Friday warned the BJP against breaking her party, saying it can have “dangerous consequences”.

“If they (BJP) will do the same what they did to Muslim United Front (MUF) to crush it ... with the PDP it will have dangerous consequences,” she said in reference to the alleged rigging of the 1987 elections, which is often blamed for triggering the armed insurgency in the state. Syed Salahuddin, one of the MUF candidates in the 1987 election, founded Hizbul Mujahideen after losing the polls due to the alleged fraud.

All but two PDP legislators from south Kashmir attended a meeting with Mehbooba on Tuesday. “The president (Mehbooba Mufti) directed all leaders to accelerate efforts to reach out to common masses,” a PDP statement said.

The party will separately issue notices to the rebel legislators, Imran Reza Ansari, Javeed Baig, Abdul Majeed Padder, Yasir Reshi and Saifudin Bhat, for “speaking against the PDP leadership”. The five had blamed the party for “promoting dynastic politics”. Another PDP leader said the notices will be issued as part of a routine procedure. He said things could be taken forward after the party’s disciplinary panel receives their replies.

mir.ehsan@htlive.com

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Courtesy: Hindustan Times: 9 Jul 2018