Khaleel Bandh to join NC, accuses Pir Mansoor of destroying PDP
Says, Mufti had a vast vision, Mehbooba is encircled with cronies
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Srinagar, July 20 (RNA): Former PDP minster and leader Mohammad Khaleel Bandh would be joining National Conference on Sunday. The former Mufti Mohammad Syed close aide is likely to be welcomed by NC President Farooq Abdullah, Vice President Omar Abdullah and senior party leaders at party headquarters Nawa- e- Subah.
Speaking to RNA early Saturday morning, Mr. Bandh said that he was influenced by Omar Abdullah's leadership skills, but regretted that PDP was destroyed by "None other than its own people." He said humiliation of senior and influential leaders had become a norm in PDP under Mehbooba Mufti who was encircled by cronies like Pir Mansoor. The former minster added that Mufti Mohammad Syed would give due regard and respect to every leader and member of the party which vanished with his demise.
He told RNA that the modern day PDP was full of conspirators led by Pir Mansoor who _according to him _has "decimated" the party.
" We were feeling humiliated . Nobody would listen to us. Pir Mansoor has been the main destroyer." Mr. Bandh told RNA, adding that time has arrived when people like him can not tolerate the humiliation anymore.
When asked why he did not raise the issue before when he was in the Mehbooba Mufti's cabinet, the former minster replied,
" who told you we hadn't. " We were just trying to save the party and battling to undo wrong internally. But Mehbooba Mufti didn't listen to anyone except her cronies. They haven't changed even now."
Mr. Bandh also refused to reveal whether he desired to join NC or NC leadership approached him.
"It is immeterial for me to tell whether they approached me or I approached them. What matters for me is to work in NC and do something good for my people who have been with me from last sixteen years or so." he told RNA
The former PDP leader's joining however won't possibly come without a cost for NC too, as it's leader from South and former Rajya Sabha member Gh. Nabi Ratanpori has expressed an open defience on Bandh's impending entry into the fold calling him "dog who would Wage tail in PDP and would continue to do so even in NC."
In a tweet, the broadcaster turned politician expressed his open resentment on Bandh's joining NC and wrote,
"An(A) person having been a minister/MLA for nearly 16 years says he was treated like a dog, humiliated and his constituency neglected all along. He started barking only after he was kicked on ass.Welcome him to NC. Assured of an occasional pat with the bone. Qualifies for coterie too, "Ratanpori said via his tweet.
Mr. Bandh however, said that the former RS member would be feeling uneasy but refrained from making any further comments. (RNA)