Srinagar
Former MLA Poonch and senior PDP leader has resigned from the primary membership of the party on Saturday.
Reports said that Shah Mohammad Tantray who was elected to the state assembly on a PDP ticket from the Poonch-Haveli seat in 2014, said Article 370 had become a “dead stock” as a result of nearly three dozen amendments during the previous government regime.
“Article 370 was a dead stock in the wake of nearly three dozen amendments in the provisions during the Congress rule,” reports quoted Shah as having said.
“With or without Article 370, we are linked with our country. The people need to come forward and help in improving the situation,” he said.
Earlier in January , the PDP expelled eight party leaders — Dilawar Mir, Rafi Ahmad Mir, Zaffar Iqbal, Abdul Majeed Padroo, Raja Manzoor Khan, Javaid Hussain Baig, Qamar Hussain, Abdul Rahim Rather besides Tantray — two days after they met the Lt Governor under the leadership of former party leader Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari.
The PDP had said, “In view of the development post August 5 and the unilateral move of the government of India which has violated the will and hurt the sentiments of people, it has come to the attention of the party that certain party leaders have been part of the parleys which go against the interests of the state, official position and core beliefs of the party.
“The party disciplinary committee has recommended the expulsion of all these leaders from the basic membership of the party,” said PDP in a statement.
The expulsion of the eight leaders followed the resignation of four more party functionaries — former MLA Rafiabad Yawar Mir, PDP state secretary Mir Samiullah, Muntazir Mohuiddin and Syed Showket Gayoor — amid speculations that Bukhari is launching a new political party with the help of disgruntled leaders in the PDP, the Congress and other parties.
Tantray said the expulsion of the party leaders was not in a “good taste” as they should have been served a show cause notice first.
“After a thought, I decided to say goodbye to the party on the call of my conscience,” he said.
“I will decide the future course of action after consulting my colleagues, friends and well wishers on the issue of joining hands with Bukhari,” reports quoted Shah as having said.
