Apprehending fissures within the ruling PDP, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti is scheduled to chair a meeting of party legislators to overcome the crises, which recently arose in the wake of Srinagar MP Tariq Hameed Karra’s resignation.
Sources said Mehbooba, who is also the PDP President, is set to call a crucial meeting of party lawmakers within a week at her Fairview residence here to decide future strategy to avoid any “political chaos” in wake of Karra’s revolt.
One of the founding members and Member Parliament, Karra resigned from the party and Parliament on September 15.
While announcing his resignation, he asked other legislators to either “be with the helpless people” or with the PDP led government, which he accused of being more ruthless than Nazi forces, who executed genocide of the Jews in world-war II.
Though the government reportedly tried to downplay Karra’s resignation by extending clampdown on internet services in Kashmir “lest he turns into hero on social media”, the decision failed to keep PDP immune to “Karra fever.”
Sources said since then, at least three PDP MLAs, are planning to follow Karra’s footprints, something which has left the party unnerved.
They said the spark of revolt was visible on Saturday when one of the PDP MLAs criticized his government over crises in Kashmir.
“He expressed his displeasure, when the party has passed a verbal whip that no lawmaker should condemn any action by government forces because the same was being done in the interest of people of Jammu and Kashmir,” said a PDP leader asking not to be named.
Insiders said the party has almost divided into two groups of leaders, one belonging to group of old guards and the other one being represented by fresh faces whom Karra described as “political toddlers and paratroopers.”
PDP insiders said apart from MLAs, other party MP is also unhappy with the PDP functioning. “He has decided to boycott the meeting with PDP leadership where toddlers are empowered to call the shots,” he said.
“Growing resentment as being openly showcased by the party veterans, is already fuelling anger among the party cadres while Karra’s resignation has added fuel to the fire,” explained a party leader.
He, however, said Mehbooba is confident to clear the air over Karra’s resignation. “Her main power is that she has full support of New Delhi and the same she will convey to the PDP lawmakers,” the leader added.
