PDP rebellion gains traction; We feel choked, says Imran Ansari

Srinagar, July 2: Picking up from where his uncle Abid Ansari had stopped a day earlier, former IT Minister and senior PDP leader, Imran Raza Ansari, on Monday revealed how all was not well with their party during the coalition days.

Abid had, on Sunday, publicly termed the policies of ex-Chief Minister and President PDP, Mehbooba Mufti, the main “reason” for the “abasement” of the party.

Questioned about Abid’s views, Imran said all of them felt that way.

“We all feel the same. Some elements in our government were actually responsible for it falling apart. Earlier also, we had told Mehbooba Ji that there were some black sheep in the party who would make her incompetent,” he told reporters during a function at Pattan, Baramulla.

“The Peoples Democratic Party has changed into family democratic party. That is the reason that people were miffed it with.”

He said only Mehbooba knew if her party was trying an alliance with the Congress.

“I have never been consulted, even though I was a minister in her cabinet. I have been telling her for some time that we all feel choked in the party. A few people have hijacked it, and it was only because of them the government toppled,” he added.

Imran said the party deceased patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, never wanted to see only his relatives in it.

“Jab se Mehbooba aayi hai ya to Mama Ji, Taya Ji, ya to koi Bhai Sahab hai (since Mehbooba has taken over, it has just been about her uncles and brother,” he said clearly referring to the likes of Tasaduq Mufti and Sartaj Madni.

Imran said he was “very sad” seeing the party “we formed with our blood being destroyed by these people”.

“They destroyed the party and along with it the entire Kashmir,” he said.

Asked if he supported fresh elections, Imran said he was all up for it since he was not a “back door entry” and had “support of the people”.

On whether he planned to switch parties, he said that every leader was free to do what was good for his future.

“If any leader feels that he has no future (with one party), why would he destroy it by associating himself with such a party,” he said.

“This party is of just of four people. They can go ahead and run it. I have bid it adieu a long time. I had even informed Mehbooba of the same,” he said, adding, “Tasaduq Mufti, Nayeem Akhtar and family members of Mehbooba Mufti including her uncle are all deadwood.”

He said he was ready to join any party not “run and managed by family members”.

“I have already said goodbye to the party. I am not resigning because I am a legislator right now,” Ansari said.

A photograph of Ansari with National Conference spokesperson Junaid Azam Matoo has been making rounds on the social media networking sites, indicating that he may have made up his mind to join the party.