KL Report
SRINAGAR
Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig is likely to return to state politics as the party is likely to field him from his home constituency Baramulla in the forthcoming assembly elections the dates for which have been already announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
A senior PDP leader while confirming the reports of Baig contesting from Baramulla said, “The discussion on his return to state politics is in the final stage and a decision on his nomination as party candidate for Baramulla assembly constituency is expected in few days.”
Interestingly a strong lobby within the PDP led by Baig was jolted a few days back when incumbent MLA Rajpora Syed Bashir Ahmad a die-hard loyalist of Baig was expelled from the party on charges of ‘anti-party’ activities. It may be recalled here that Bashir was upset with the way renowned economist and former JK Bank Chairman Haseeb Drabu was named party candidate for Rajpora assembly segment.
If the reports of Baig resenting against the unceremonious removal of Bashir are to be believed then the move of the PDP top brass to bring back Baig into state politics are aimed at silencing the voice of dissent in the party.
It is pertinent to mention here that Baig had recently contradicted Drabu on a controversy over J&K Bank’s funding matter. While Drabu is being projected as future Finance Minister by one strong faction of the party, the rival faction backs the candidature of Baig for the same portfolio, if the party comes to the power in the coming elections.
When contacted PDP chief spokesman Nayeem Akhtar told KNS no discussion of any sorts has been done within the party. “Party has no knowledge about it,” he told KNS.
