Will Mehbooba be Able to Salvage the Sinking PDP?

Amidst the internal turbulence, resignation of PDP Vice President Sartaj Madni that came on July 23 has hinted towards People Democratic Partys (PDP’s) plan to restructure the party. Madni submitted his resignation on Monday saying that he was stepping down from the post for the “larger interests of the party”.

“I have submitted my resignation to party President Mehbooba Mufti in the larger interests of the party and for its strengthening, stability and unity,” he was quoted as saying by a local news agency. Mehbooba Mufti’s maternal uncle, Sartaj Madni’s resignation has come at a time when PDP has been facing open rebellion in the party. The disgruntled leaders have attacked the party for encouraging “dynasty rule”. The dissenters believe that incorporating close relations within the party has led to the current crisis, where they feel that they have been sidelined.

Moreover, the sources have revealed that the Mufti has taken a serious note of the suggestions put forth by the dissenters after which, she has been meeting legislators and party leaders to discuss the strategy for the further discourse. According to local web portal KashmirWalla, Mufti had also met PDP founding leader, Muzaffar Hussain Baigh last week, as he was unable to attend meetings because of his ill health. Baigh is likely to return with additional responsibilities. He is also a member of parliament. The disgruntled members had slammed PDP for sidelining Baigh. His return to the party with added responsibilities and power is a clear sign that Mufti is trying hard to salvage the party from splitting.

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Baigh's return will also help PDP to reinstate its constituency in the North, where National Conference (NC) and Sajad Lone's People's Conference are already competing.

In his first statement after the fall of PDP-BJP coalition, on July 17, Baigh had appealed to all the party legislators to unite while exuding confidence that PDP can return to power any time.

“I was the president of the party and hold the honour to script the constitution and lay the foundation of this party and as such no other person can be more concerned than me about the survival of the party. I appeal all legislators to bury the hatchet and not to pay heed to rumours spread to create chaos among legislators,” Baigh had said. He had also lamented about the fact that a few party people had taken decisions without consulting him. “Unfortunately some people have taken decisions without consulting me and such party MLAs should show courage, unite and work for the causes they were elected by the people of their constituencies,” Baigh added.

According to Kashmirwalla, Baigh’s wife Safina Baigh will be the part of the core group of party, including Altaf Bukhari, Abdul Rehman Veeri, Dilawar Mir. Meanwhile, PDP has kept the party’s door open for the disgruntled leaders to talk and is seriously looking forward.

Also Read: Split or No Split: How Will PDP’s Internal Rumbling Affect Kashmir and Furthermore India?

Besides, PDP is also working on strengthening its position in Kashmir, while, Baigh will give a tough competition to NC and PC in the North. In Central Kashmir, PDP will be in competition with National Conference which has a stronghold in the region. Currently, NC has its base in North Kashmir and Srinagar. Meanwhile, PDP sees no competition in South Kashmir from anyone. However, it is difficult predict whether South Kashmir will vote for the party.

PDP has been in ruins after the BJP pulled out of the coalition on July 19. The fall of the government led to the emergence of disgruntled leaders who blamed the party for running dynasty politics. There have been apprehensions that the disgruntled leaders are likely to join hands with the BJP, but there has been no concrete development, so far. As per the sources, Centre will be keeping silent until Amarnath Yatra ends. Sources believe that after the Yatra, Kashmir might witness the formation of new government. However, BJP has denied any such development and has said that they are focussing on 2019 elections, and have no plans of forming a government immediately.