Mehbooba Mufti accused of nepotism and incompetence by PDP MLAs who threaten to quit party

Former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti

In a situation of possible revolt arising within the PDP, Mehbooba Mufti has been accused of incompetence and nepotism by three of her party MLAs who have even decided to quit the party, Times of India has reported.

As per the report, the revolt is being spearheaded by Imran Raza Ansari – a minister in the now defunct BJP-PDP government in Jammu and Kashmir. He is believed to wield a significance influence over five assembly seats in the state.

Raza Ansari while speaking to the media alleged that it was Mehbooba Mufti’s incompetence which led to a collapse of the government. He also claimed that she had failed both the PDP and her late father Mufti Mohammed Saeed.

Interestingly Ansari held a very positive view of the BJP, who he claims was responsible for releasing funds for various developmental projects in the state.

As per a Hindustan Times report, Ansari also accused Mufti of nepotism by terming PDP as a “family affairs party”. The report claimed that Ansari stated that “brothers, uncles, maternal uncles and other relatives” were running the show.

He claimed that he had highlighted the matter when Mufti inducted her brother into the cabinet, and that there were many others who were opposed to the same. He has also announced that he won’t remain a part of the party as long as Mufi remained in charge.

Ironically, Ansari’s own uncle – Abid Reza Ansari, too decided to level similar allegations of Mufti turning the party into a family fiefdom. He is a MLA from the Zadibal constituency in Srinagar.

Besides these two, the revolt is being fuelled by Gulmarg’s MLA Mohammad Abbas who announced his decision to quit the party as it had been hijacked by a few leaders.

The PDP’s chief spokesperson Naem Athar while responding to the revolt stated that they would come with a response after studying the statement.

Interestingly a News18 report seems to have hinted at another angle to the story by claiming that a sizeable breakaway faction of the PDP was willing to join the BJP, with an announcement possibly coming post the culmination of this year’s Amarnath Yatra.

OpIndia Staff: Staff reporter at OpIndia