Crisis deepens in PDP: Leaders refuse to accept expulsion order

Srinagar, Jan 10: Crisis has deepened in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after expelled leaders refused to accept the decision of the party.

On Thursday nine leaders were expelled by party for “violating the party interest” by meeting envoys of 15 countries and Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu earlier this week. 

The announcement was made by incarcerated former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s media advisor Suhail Bukhari.

Former minister Abdul Majeed Paddar, who was one of the leaders expelled on Thursday said the decision was “not acceptable” to them.

“Our party president Mehbooba Mufti is in jail while patron Muzaffar Beigh is in Jammu. Who expelled us from the party?” Paddar asked.

Paddar said Bukhari has not authority to expel them as the mandate lies with the disciplinary committee.

“If any leader indulges in anti-party activity, the disciplinary committee first issues a notice. The accused are given time to explain. Suhail Bukhari has no authority to issue such statement,” he said.

Paddar claimed they did not indulge in any “anti-party” activities. “We met envoys at an individual level. We were not part of any delegation. We met ambassadors to convey them what Kashmiris are going through for last several months. Somebody has to speak out as we can’t remain mute spectators,” he added.

Seconding Paddar, former chief spokesperson of PDP, Rafi Ahmad Mir said they were still part of the party. “Nobody can expel us. Who are these unknown faces who expelled us?” he asked.

Mir said only Mehbooba Mufti has authority to expel any leader if he or she is found involved in “anti-party” activities.

“We raised issues of common masses with envoys. I fail to understand who gave Suhail Bukhari authority to issue statement,” Mir said.

Besides Paddar and Mir, other former PDP legislators Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Javaid Beigh, Abdul Rahim Rather met envoys. 

Before this, Dilawar Mir along with party members Zaffar Iqbal, Choudhary Qamar Hussain and Raja Manzoor Ahmad had accompanied Ghulam Hassan Mir and Altaf Bukhari to meet Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu.

“In the backdrop of what has happened post August 5, it has come to the notice that some of the party members have met visiting envoys. It is against the spirit and interests of Jammu and Kashmir for which the party stands,” Suhail Bukhari said.

Bukhari noted that these things were seen with great concern and disciplinary committee recommended stripping their basic membership.

Earlier, Rajya Sabha member Nazir Ahmad Laway too refused to accept his expulsion from the party. 

Four leaders quit

Monitor News Bureau

Srinagar, Jan 10: PDP has suffered a major blow when four senior leaders resigned from the party on Friday.

The leaders who have quit the party include former MLA Yawar Mir, Dr Mir Samiullah, Muntazir Mohidin and Showkat Gayoor Andrabi. 

Samiullah claimed that the PDP has been in complete disarray for the last two years and that is the resign he put in his papers. 

“With such disharmony and confusion, it is impossible for the party to represent common masses. I find no reason to continue being in the party. I will continue to serve the masses of Pulwama,” said Samiullah.