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Mehbooba meets 4 MLAs to prevent split in PDP

Kashmir Times. Dated: 7/11/2018 12:47:35 PM

SRINAGAR, Jul 10 (Agencies): Embattled PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday held talks with four party MLAs including two rebels to prevent a split in the party.
Six MLAs of the PDP had revolted against Mehbooba after the collapse of the PDP-BJP government, accusing her of nepotism and family rule.
Most of the rebels belong to north Kashmir where the PDP is considerably weaker than it is in south Kashmir. The rebels are backed by Sajjad Gani Lone of Peoples Conference and the BJP.
Two days ago, after her return from Delhi, Mehbooba had met 20 MLAs and MLCs at her official residence in Srinagar in an attempt to keep the flock together.
The four MLAs who met Mehbooba on Tuesday include, Kokernag MLA Abdul Rahim Rather, Chadoora MLA Javed Mustafa Mir, Noorabad MLA Abdul Majeed Paddar and Lolab MLA Abdul Haq Khan.
Rather and Padder had questioned Mehbooba's leadership and Khan was upset after being dropped from the cabinet in the last reshuffle.
According to sources, the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and Mehbooba listened to the litany of complaints of the MLAs. She assured them redress and requested them not to desert the party.
The four MLAs, sources said, complained that they were not treated well in the party and even their suggestions were ignored.
Other rebels including former sports minister and influential Shia cleric, Imran Reza Ansari, his uncle and Zadibal MLA, Abid Hussian Ansari, Tangmarg MLA Mohommad Abaas Wani, Baramulla MLA Javaid Baig and MLC Yasir Reshi did not attend the meeting.
Mehbooba, sources said, was highly upset with the two Shia leaders who were the first to attack her after the BJP dumped the PDP.
Imran embarked on a public outreach in his constituency. He tweeted: “When Mehbooba Mufti says Delhi is doing it, does she not know she is branding all dissenters as stooges of Delhi. And does she not know that thousands have been killed by such irresponsible utterances. Mother of all ironies SSG protectee making lesser mortals vulnerable.”
When @MehboobaMufti says Delhi is doing it. Does she not know she is branding all dissenters as stooges of Delhi. And does she not know that thousands have been killed by such irresponsible utterances. Mother of all ironies SSG protectee making Lesser mortals vulnerable
— Imran Reza Ansari (@imranrezaansari) July 9, 2018
According to sources, two MLAs, Muhammad Yousuf Bhat and Aijaz Ahmad Mir, considered as Mehooba's loyalists, met another rebel MLA Javid Beig in a bid to woo him back.