Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 12: Notwithstanding the removal of MLC Yasir Reshi from the post of district president Bandipora, the PDP rebels are undeterred and determined to carry forward their fight for what they called “inner party democracy” saying they were not afraid of expulsions and can’t meet party president Mehbooba Mufti on being invited by a “mobile operator”.
Earlier in the day, the PDP removed Reshi, a two-time MLC, who had raised banner of revolt against Mehbooba Mufti for promotion ‘family culture’ in the party, from the post of district president Bandipora. It said PDP’s district Baramulla president, Irshad Ahmad Kar will look after the party affairs of Bandipora till further orders.
Yasir Reshi told the Excelsior that he had called for “inner-party democracy” in the PDP and he still stand for it.
“Ours is a no bid demand. It’s quite fair to ask for democracy in the party. We are against the family culture being propagated in the PDP,” Reshi said, adding that he was not invited by anyone to meet Mehbooba, the PDP president and former Chief Minister and, therefore, there was no question of meeting here.
Reshi said some senior party leaders have been sidelined and only family members were being projected in the PDP, which is not a sign of democracy.
Abid Ansari, the PDP MLA from Zadibal, Srinagar, who was the first to revolt against the party, said some leaders have damaged the party by promoting family culture and “we still stand by our statement that democracy has to be restored in the party”.
Asked whether he was invited to meet Mehbooba Mufti, Abid said: “we have respect for everyone but just can’t go to meet the party president on the invite of a telephone operator”.
Six party legislators have revolted against the PDP leadership for promoting family culture. They included Imran Raza Ansari, MLA Pattan, Baramulla, Abid Ansari, MLA Zadibal, Srinagar, Mohammad Abbas, MLA Tangmarg, Baramulla, Javeid Beig, MLA Baramulla and Choudhary Qamar, MLA Rajouri besides MLC Yasir Reshi.
On the other, there were reports that about one and a half dozen MLAs have called on Mehbooba Mufti and extended support to her at this critical juncture and sought action against the party rebels. They wanted that to start with the party should initiate action against Yasir Reshi, MLC by approaching the Legislative Council Chairman seeking his disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law.
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