Rameez Makhdoomi
In a move that could boost the political fortunes of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Employees’ Joint Action Committee (EJAC) President Khurshid Alam joined the PDP with hundreds of his supporters at residence of former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on June 3,2013.
Pertinently, Khurshid Alam was given a rousing welcome and his joining the party was lauded by senior leaders in their speeches.
On the occasion, an energetic Khurshid Alam stated- “I have taken a pledge to dedicate my entire life and even my breathes to the cause of PDP for making a prosperous and peaceful state of Jammu & Kashmir. Under the efficient guidance of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed I would strive to make PDP a leading political force and a positive agent of change. He hoped that party would strive hard to convert the disappointment of hearts of the people of Srinagar into hope and positivity.”
He further added- “I after my voluntary retirement from service had thought of spending my rest of life in a peaceful manner away from limelight, but my near and dear one and the people for whom I have struggled hard throughout my life wanted me to join politics and change the future of our trouble ridden nation towards betterment.”
In his speech, PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed also lauded Khurshid Alam’s move to join the Party.
He further stated –“Dissent is the spirit of democracy and separatists have a right to dissent. They have a right to call for a boycott (of polls), but people have to think what is right for them. Democracy is a battle of ideas. We have to fight the separatists politically and engage them in a meaningful dialogue to find a solution to the Kashmir-issue, instead of putting them behind bars,” he said adding, “Times have changed and battles are not won by swords.”
Khurshid Alam is viewed as a veteran face in the Trade Union activism of the Jammu & Kashmir state and this experience is likely to benefit him in his political innings .On their part , political experts state that with the joining of Khurshid Alam the political equation and overall electoral scenario in Srinagar is sure to build up for the PDP, which was till now just known for having rural base but with this development certainly the support in the capital city ,Srinagar is likely to witness positive change.
Summer capital Srinagar from an assumed Pro- freedom and National Conference bastion, but with the joining of Khurshid Alam is likely to provide much needed optimism and positivity for People’s Democratic Party (PDP).This inclusion is also likely to strengthen the grassroots of PDP in Srinagar as the persona of Khurshid Alam is known for being closely attached to common man on ground zero.
The importance of this move can be gauged from the fact that in last Assembly election held in 2008, PDP lost on all the eight constituencies from Srinagar despite performing well in other regions of the state.
Definitely, opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with joining of Khurshid Alam looks to have gained much needed direction in its search for the strong potential candidates to be fielded from the eight Assembly segments of Srinagar city.