CM' s close aide, VC Wakf Peer Mohammad Hussain resigns

Mir Farhat

JAMMU: In a major development in political spheres, one of the founder members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a close aide of former Chief Minister, late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Peer Mohammad Hussain today has resigned from the post of Vice-Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Board for Muslim Specified Waqfs but with tight lips.
Though Hussain claims he is resigning due to some personal reasons but the latest development apparently has set tongue wagering in motion, with Hussain instantly refusing to disclose the reasons behind his all of a sudden resignation from the post of VC, Waqf Board right now.
"Wait and I will reveal all but at appropriate time," he briefly told The News Now.
Meanwhile PDP sources told The News Now that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is also the Chairman of the Waqf Board, had been insisting on him to resign as she was not happy with the slow pace of different developmental works being executed by the board under Peer Mohammad Hussain, particularly the construction and renovation works at famous Hazratbal Shrine.
Before the pressure reached the crescendo, Hussain yesterday held a press conference in Srinagar as a 'last resort' and listed various achievements of the board under his leadership and officially resigned from the post of VC, Waqf board today.
While talking to this correspondent, the veteran PDP leader said, "I don't think it is the appropriate time to disclose the issues which forced me to resign. At an appropriate time, I will disclose everything."
"I've submitted my resignation to the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti five days back but as of now, I've no idea whether the resignation has been accepted or not," he asserted.
If non-performance is the reason behind Peer Mohammad Hussain's resignation, then it is definitely an indicator that CM needs only dedicated people in government and administration irrespective of her personal relationship with people in politics and bureaucracy.
And certainly it will send warning signals to non-performers who probably will try to mend their ways before it is too late.
For inept, in January last year, Hussain in an interview with a Kashmir based magazine had said that he would resign if he was not able to revamp the Wakf and its properties.
"I say with honesty if I fail to implement the new plan to revamp Wakf or contribute for it, I will resign," he had said.
It is important to mention here that Peer Mohammad Hussain was elected to the lower house of the J&K legislature in 2002 when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was the Chief Minister and enjoys a good rapport with Muftis' family. In March 2015, he was made the Vice-Chairman of the Waqf Board.