PDP granting mandates to returnees who abandoned party: Rouf Bhat

Resigns from PDP citing dissatisfaction with party's treatment with leaders, workers

SRINAGAR: In a significant development within the People's Democratic Party (PDP), former State Secretary and spokesperson Rouf Bhat tendered his resignation on Friday, expressing his profound dissatisfaction with the party's treatment of loyal members.
His decision to resign marks a growing discontent within the PDP ranks, with several long-time members voicing concerns over the party’s shifting dynamics and leadership decisions.
In his resignation letter, Bhat highlighted his deep disappointment with the current state of affairs within the party. He criticized the PDP leadership for prioritizing individuals who had recently rejoined the party over those who had remained steadfast during the most challenging periods.
According to Bhat, this preference for new entrants, many of whom he claimed had personal vested interests, was not only a betrayal of loyal workers but also a repeat of mistakes that have historically hindered the party and the region's progress. He emphasized that these actions were detrimental to the foundational values of the PDP and the aspirations it once promised to uphold.
Bhat, a long-serving member of the PDP, expressed that despite his loyalty and dedication to the party, he felt disrespected and marginalized in recent times. Reflecting on his journey with the PDP, he acknowledged the growth and opportunities the party had offered him. However, he made it clear that his decision to resign was driven by the need to preserve his self-respect and stand against the perceived injustices within the party structure.
In an exclusive conversation with The News Now, Bhat shared more insights into the reasons behind his resignation. He revealed that the PDP leadership had recently granted mandates to individuals who had left the party during critical times, only to rejoin later.
"The party leadership has sidelined those who remained loyal and gave everything to the party. The very people who once abandoned the PDP have now been rewarded with key mandates, while those of us who stayed and fought for the party have been overlooked," he said.
Bhat expressed frustration over what he termed as a gross injustice to the party’s loyal workers. He noted that the PDP had, in its initial phases, promised unity and collective effort in addressing the region's challenges. However, in recent decisions, the leadership had failed to honor that commitment, instead favoring opportunistic members who had re-entered the fold after abandoning it. "We had a shared promise of fighting together and standing united, but in the end, the party leadership chose those who had betrayed us. This is a clear injustice to the ones who stayed loyal through thick and thin," Bhat concluded.
His resignation underscores the growing internal friction within the PDP, as several loyalists feel sidelined by leadership decisions that appear to prioritize political expediency over dedication and commitment to the party's original cause.