Cracks in PDP widens as fifth MLA joins rebel ranks, says 'losers running party'

Certain regional parties in the state have accused the central government of indulging in proxy rule through the Governor.

Javed Hassan Baig. PIC/ANI.

SRINAGAR: Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP suffered another jolt on Friday after another disgruntled MLA joined rebel ranks. PDP MLA from Baramulla Javed Hassan Baig today blamed the party leadership for not giving due respect to the legislators. He said those who lost elections are running the party. "What will a person do if you are disrespected and your views are not taken into account? What will you do when you find your stranger in a party with which you are associated for 20 years? How can I leave the party when I was never part of it? For the party, I never mattered and I am independent to take any decision," he told a daily. Jammu and Kashmir was put under governor's rule on June 20 after the BJP withdrew support to alliance partner PDP, prompting Mehbooba Mufti to resign as chief minister. After the PDP-BJP coalition government fell in the state, Baig is the fifth legislator to have joined the fold of the rebels. Certain regional parties in the state have accused the central government of indulging in proxy rule through the Governor. There is a worry within the party that that BJP would resort to horse trading activities to form the government. The Congress, on the other hand, has said it wanted early elections in as it ruled out possibility of supporting the PDP for forming an alternate government in the state.