PDP Rebels knock Mehbooba’s door for return

Srinagar, Dec 15: Several former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders are seeking re-induction in the party as the party president Mehbooba Mufti’s is gaining popularity due to her criticism of New Delhi’s unpopular policies.

Sources in political circles reveal to the Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that several political leaders who left the PDP after the abrogation of Article 370 and joined other local political outfits are again approaching Mehbooba Mufti for re-induction.

For the past one week, several leaders who switched from the PDP to other local political parties are now pushing for their return to their parent party.

“If anyone wants to come back to the PDP, our doors are open for them but the final decision of re-induction will be with the party President,” said a PDP source adding that some rebel leaders even approached Mehbooba Mufti. However, there is opposition from some PDP leaders to welcome back them as their migration to political parties seen close to the BJP was to avoid investigations for their large scale of corruption in the past, he said.

For the past three weeks, political parties in Jammu and Kashmir are holding rallies seen as a preparation for the Assembly elections likely to be held in April next year.

The Delimitation Commission is also likely to submit its final proposal for reorganization of the Assembly constituencies next month.

Both Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah are drawing huge crowds during their rallies in Kashmir and Jammu regions.

National Conference and the PDP are assuring people they will fight for the restoration of Article 370, its corollary Article 35-A, and statehood.

“Since abrogation of special Status Mehbooba strongly stood up for the restoration of pre-August 5th position of Jammu and Kashmir and that is the reason for her popularity as well as attempts of former leaders to return back to parent party,” a senior PDP leader told Kashmir Dot Com. (KDC)