Srinagar: Describing Abdul Haq Khan as an ‘asset and party’s devoted leader’ Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wants to ‘benefit from his influence’ and experiences in the party.
After the reshuffle in the J&K’s council of ministers, the ouster of Abdul Haq Khan and the induction of Muhammad Ashraf Mir came as the big surprise.
In probably the last reshuffle in her ministerial team before the 2019 parliamentary elections, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, in a surprising development, dropped Khan holding the portfolio of rural development.
PDP Vice President Mohammad Sartaj Madni said that Haq has served the state ably as a legislator and minister and in his capacity as cabinet colleague of Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and party president Mehbooba Mufti, he raised the governance standards very high through his administrative capability, political vision and commitment for public. He said his contribution is valued by the party cadre and people at large and he is all set to get a lead role, befitting his stature and competence.
Madni hinted at the party president assigning Haq an important job in the organization to help fill a void caused by preoccupation of most of the senior colleagues in government and other key sectors.
“The party feels that North Kashmir in particular, and state unit in general, needs the services of a seasoned politician who can spare his time and energy to steer the party successfully out of challenges seen ahead. Haq has cultivated a constituency much beyond Lolab and Kupwara and is now known for his standing in Pahari belts of the state.”
It is believed in party circles that a prominent position to him in the party can help consolidate further the base of the party here and elsewhere.
Madni said that Party leadership has always relied in his potential and qualification as a valuable performer and ever since his joining PDP, he has lent tremendous push to the party image.
“He is respected for integrity and honesty and it is as law and Rural Development Minister that he changed the face of rural areas by introducing a productive work culture and innovative growth concepts. It was his doings that state earned several awards for proper utilization of funds in the rural sector.”
Madni said that PDP has faced difficult times and Party leadership is keen to get best out of its colleagues and the cadre by appropriate placements that are dictated by the time and urgencies.
Madni said Abdul Haq Khan is seen as one of the most dedicated PDP leaders who is respected by the people for his conviction and he is likely to get a suitable responsibility to serve the people’s cause along with other top party leaders.
(With inputs from KNS)
