Srinagar: Speculations are rife that a few big wigs are going to join the Peoples Conference led by Sajad Gani Lone soon and there is a possibility about a new political front being formed in north Kashmir.
Recently, National Conference leader, from Kreeri in Baramulla district Basharat Bukhari, tendered his resignation from the NC, he didn’t mention any specific reason for him calling quit but it seems that he too may be joining the new front.
In his resignation letter to NC president Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Omar Abdullah, Bukhari, who had joined the party in December 2018, said: “Very respectfully, I hereby disassociate from the party (J&K National Conference) from this day onwards. Please be kind enough to acknowledge the above-mentioned expression and oblige.”
In a separate letter to Omar, Bukhari expressed his gratitude to the NC vice- president for his love and affection towards him (Bukhari) during his brief stint as a party member. Prior to joining NC, Bukhari was associated with Peoples Democratic Party and was also a minister in the PDP led coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir.
On Monday, general secretary of Peoples Conference, Imran Raza Ansari, tendered his resignation from the party post.
Ansari, who was also a minister in PDP-BJP coalition government in the erstwhile state of J&K, joined the PC in November 2018 after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Taking to micro-blogging site twitter, Ansari said, “As our Party @JKPC_ is growing and lots of leaders have started joining this caravan of change I am requesting my party President @sajadlone to accept my resignation from the post of General Secretary effective today.”
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Ansari in his resignation has clearly hinted that many more people are likely to join the Peoples Conference. It appears that north Kashmir may have its own set of political leaders and modalities have already been finalized.”
Pertinently, in the election for chairperson for District Development Council (DDC) in Baramulla district last month Peoples Conference had voted for Safina Beg, wife of the former PDP patron, Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, and helped her win the election. Three members of PC, two from Apni Party and Muzaffar Dar (an independent candidate) had supported Safina Beg.
An observer said, “It appears that Basharat Bukhari, Safina Beg and others are likely to be a part of the political front that will be led by Sajad Gani Lone.”
It may be recalled that the Peoples Conference had pulled out from the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration—an amalgam that comprised the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party and other smaller parties—soon after the DDC election results were declared. The PC had accused NC of “backstabbing” it by fielding proxy candidates in Kupwara district. The NC, PDP, PC and few other parties had contested the DDC elections under one banner and had bagged more than 100 seats together.