Sajad Ul Bashir Lone Resigns from PDP, Citing Dissatisfaction with New Entrants Lacking Ground Presence
After nearly 21 years of loyal service to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sajad Ul Bashir Lone, from Sheeri Baramulla, has announced his resignation from the party. Having held key positions, including State Secretary of the PDP, Sajad has been instrumental in making the party very active in North Kashmir, especially in Baramulla. His family’s deep-rooted association with the PDP dates back to the days of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, father of current party leader Mehbooba Mufti.
Sajad’s decision to part ways with the PDP comes as a result of growing dissatisfaction with the newly appointed candidates within the party, whom he believes have no real ground presence or commitment to the region. In his statement, Sajad expressed frustration with recent developments, where individuals who had no prior contribution to the party’s growth have been elevated to leadership roles. This, he believes, undermines the efforts of long-serving party members who stood by the PDP through its most challenging times.
In his resignation, Sajad Ul Bashir Lone expressed both deep respect and disappointment. “Mehbooba Mufti has always treated me like a son, and I have always seen the Mufti family as my own. My dedication to the party has been unwavering, but it is clear that the direction being taken—especially in the lead-up to elections—does not align with the principles and values we once stood for. Decisions have been made to elevate individuals who were absent when the party needed them most.”
Sajad has made it clear that his respect for the Mufti family remains intact, but his political alignment with the PDP ends today. In his candid remarks, he acknowledged the broader reality of Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape: “No matter which party one aligns with in the Valley, all must eventually follow the Constitution of India and Delhi’s directives. There is no ‘Prime Minister of Kashmir’—that’s the hard truth. However, I will continue to support the true representatives of Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of their political party, as long as they genuinely look after the aspirations of our younger generation.”
Sajad also lamented the return of certain political figures who, according to him, had been absent from the region for years but have resurfaced only for elections. He voiced concern over the public’s support for such individuals, questioning their real commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
As Sajad Ul Bashir Lone steps away from his long-standing political home, his resignation sends ripples through the PDP, raising questions about the future direction of the party. While his next political move remains to be seen, his dedication to advocating for genuine representatives of the region suggests that his influence in the Valley’s politics is far from over.
