<p>In a setback to the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), its president and former legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia on Wednesday announced his resignation from the basic membership of the party.</p>.<p>Mankotia, a two-time former MLA from Udhampur constituency, was on February 6 re-elected as party president, a post which he is holding for the past over one decade.</p>.<p>"With a heavy heart, I announce my resignation from all posts and responsibilities in the party and also from the basic membership of the party," Mankotia said in a video message on his Facebook page.</p>.<p>The JKNPP leader said unavoidable circumstances forced him to take this decision in haste and without consulting colleagues and workers, indicating that he is resigning because of a power tussle within the extended family.</p>.<p>"Had I not resigned, there was a possibility of the family matter becoming public. I appeal JKNPP founder and patron Bhim Singh that Harsh Dev Singh (JKNPP chairman) is capable and has interest. He should be given full responsibility of the party," he said.</p>.<p>Bhim Singh is the uncle of Mankotia and Harsh Dev Singh is his cousin brother.</p>.<p>He asked his supporters to attend the scheduled meeting in Udhampur on Thursday and said the meeting would decide his future course of action. </p>.<p>JKNPP Working Committee was constituted after its electoral process was completed by February 9 under the chairmanship of Returning Officer, P K Ganju in presence of Bhim Singh. </p>
<p>In a setback to the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), its president and former legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia on Wednesday announced his resignation from the basic membership of the party.</p>.<p>Mankotia, a two-time former MLA from Udhampur constituency, was on February 6 re-elected as party president, a post which he is holding for the past over one decade.</p>.<p>"With a heavy heart, I announce my resignation from all posts and responsibilities in the party and also from the basic membership of the party," Mankotia said in a video message on his Facebook page.</p>.<p>The JKNPP leader said unavoidable circumstances forced him to take this decision in haste and without consulting colleagues and workers, indicating that he is resigning because of a power tussle within the extended family.</p>.<p>"Had I not resigned, there was a possibility of the family matter becoming public. I appeal JKNPP founder and patron Bhim Singh that Harsh Dev Singh (JKNPP chairman) is capable and has interest. He should be given full responsibility of the party," he said.</p>.<p>Bhim Singh is the uncle of Mankotia and Harsh Dev Singh is his cousin brother.</p>.<p>He asked his supporters to attend the scheduled meeting in Udhampur on Thursday and said the meeting would decide his future course of action. </p>.<p>JKNPP Working Committee was constituted after its electoral process was completed by February 9 under the chairmanship of Returning Officer, P K Ganju in presence of Bhim Singh. </p>