Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD):In a major political development that may alter the balance of power in central Kashmir, several key Congress leaders from Ganderbal, including District President Sahil Farooq and prominent youth leader Fiza Maqbool, joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday.
The induction took place at PDP’s Srinagar headquarters in the presence of party president Mehbooba Mufti and senior leaders Mehboob Beigh and Khurshid Alam.
Welcoming the new entrants, Mehboob Beigh reminded attendees of PDP’s strong roots in Ganderbal. “This is the same constituency where Omar Abdullah lost in 2002. People of Ganderbal have always been politically conscious, and this move reflects growing discontent with the Congress,” he said.
Sahil Farooq did not hold back in his criticism of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, stating, “Ganderbal has been left leaderless. Omar Abdullah has been missing from his own constituency. The people feel betrayed.”
Fiza Maqbool echoed similar sentiments and vowed to strengthen the PDP’s women’s wing. “Women need a louder voice in policymaking, and I believe the PDP is committed to that cause,” she said.
The defection is being seen as a significant boost for the PDP ahead of the next electoral battle and a serious setback for the Congress in the politically sensitive Ganderbal region( DD)