Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Muzaffar Hussain Baig on Wednesday joined the Sajad Lone-headed Peoples Conference (PC) in Srinagar.
"The entire party looks up to him (Mr. Baig) and believes that at this juncture he has a great role in helping the people of J&K to navigate the turbulent and treacherous waters," Mr. Lone said.
Mr. Lone visited Mr. Baig, founder member of the PDP and also the former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, at his residence in Srinagar.
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A PC spokesman said the two leaders deliberated on a range of issues "afflicting the people of J&K in these difficult times".
Mr. Lone described Mr. Baig's joining as "homecoming". "Mr. Baigh is returning home being a part of the party from where he started his political career. The need of the hour is that people like him should share their experience, expertise, knowledge and political wisdom for the betterment of J&K," Mr. Lone, who recently quit from the regional grouping People's Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), he said.
Mr. Baig, whose wife was recently elected as a chairperson of the District Development Council (DDC) from north Kashmir's Baramulla, expressed "immense pleasure to be a part of the party which he joined as a youth and was groomed by late Abdul Gani Lone".
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Mr. Baig said apart from many problems plaguing Jammu and Kashmir, one of the biggest problems was the quality of leadership. "I have found that the leaders didn’t have the requisite exposure or the capacity to be able to contribute at a scale and at a level that he or she is supposed to do," Mr. Baigh said.
Differences between Mr. Baigh and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti grew after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. With Mr. Baig joining the PC, the party's electoral prospectus in north Kashmir has received a shot in the arm.