By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
Jammu: Vikramaditya Singh, the Jammu-based People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Member of Legislative council, who is also the grandson of Jammu and Kashmir’s former ruler Maharaja Hari Singh, announced his resignation from the party as well as the legislative council on October 22.
In his letter to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Singh has termed differences with the party over Jammu centric issues as the primary reasons for his resignation.
The primary reason mentioned in his letter is related to Rohingya refugees living in Jammu.
“In last several months, the views that I have publicly expressed my concern for our state in general and Jammu region in particular, have not been in harmony with the party lines. These issues include, among others, the question of the illegal settlement of Rohingya in the state.”
Importantly, the PDP has maintained a soft stand on Rohingya’s living in J&K, whereas Jammu-based parties including its coalition partner BJP and a trade group are up in arms against the refugees and seek their expulsion from the state.
“I don’t think Rohingya refugees are any way harassed by the government. This is a humanitarian issue and we have to handle it likewise,” senior PDP leader Nizamuddin Bhat was quoted by TRT World.
The letter has further raised issues regarding the differences which include the inclusion of the period pertaining Dogra rule and contribution made by the rulers in school textbooks and the demand for the public holiday on the birth anniversary Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh.
“It is clear that PDP has rejected these issues, that strongly reflect the sentiments of the people of Jammu region. It is no longer possible for me to be part of a party that continues to disregard the demands and aspirations of the Jammu region,” Vikramaditya wrote in his letter to the CM.
The resignation of the PDP leader comes as a set back to the party in Jammu region, whereas the people in Kashmir have already shown their discontent against the BJP- PDP alliance on several occasions. The chances of PDP getting a second change when the state goes to for assembly elections looks bleak in the backdrop of PDP’s double standard on various issues from siding with BJP to continuous use of pellet guns in Kashmir among others.