Facing severe criticism, Sartaj Madni, maternal uncle of former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti, resigned as vice-president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday.
The development comes in the backdrop of several PDP leaders rebelling against Mehbooba over alleged promotion of nepotism in the PDP by her. “Yes, I have submitted my resignation to the party president (Mehbooba Mufti) in the larger interests of the PDP, including its stability and unity,” Madni told reporters.
However, he didn’t elaborate on the reasons for his resignation. Madni’s resignation is believed to be part of efforts within the PDP to bring back at least seven disgruntled legislators, who have openly revolted against the party president.
The cracks within the PDP are widening with each passing day. A Lok Sabha MP and three MLAs skipped an important meeting chaired by Mehbooba in Srinagar on Saturday. Ahead of the party’s 19th foundation day, on July 28, Mehbooba had called a meeting of PDP legislators and senior leaders from north Kashmir after similar discussions with representatives from the south and central Kashmir on Tuesday.
Influential Shia cleric and MLA Pattan Imran Ansari, MLA Baramulla Javeed Baig, MLA Tangmarg Abas Wani and member of parliament Muzaffar Hussain Baig skipped the meeting. Top PDP office bearers of these constituencies were absent too.
Last Tuesday two legislators of south Kashmir had skipped a similar meeting. At least five MLAs and two MLCs have openly rebelled against Mehbooba after she resigned as chief minister on June 19 when the BJP withdrew from the alliance government in the state.
The dissident legislators have been rallying around Imran Ansari, who was the first along with his uncle Abid Ansari to revolt against the party leadership, blaming Mehbooba for turning the PDP into a family party.
Published 23 July 2018, 14:33 IST