Aijaz Ahmad Mir, former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) on Saturday said he will contest the upcoming elections from his home constituency, Zainapora after not being given a mandate by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Mir, who is a District Development Council (DDC) member from Zainapora II, has been a dedicated member of the PDP for the last many years. However, he expressed his disappointment and emotional hurt over the party’s decision.
Speaking with Rising Kashmir, Mir expressed his anguish with the party leadership, particularly how the decision to deny him the ticket for Zainapora Constituency was handled.
“The decision was conveyed to me without prior notice or consultation,” he said.
Despite my years of loyalty and service, Mir said, he felt “betrayed and humiliated” by the PDP leadership which “did not even take him into confidence” regarding their decision.
“If they had informed me and involved me in the process, I would have supported the party’s decision, but the lack of communication left me and my supporters shocked and hurt,” the former MLA said.
Aijaz, who became the youngest Sarpanch in 2011 and later won the 2014 assembly elections on PDP ticket as well as the District Development Council (DDC) election in 2020 from Zainapora II, has a long history of public service in the area.
His work and loyalty to the PDP, he claims, were well-known to party president Mehbooba Mufti, which added to his surprise and disappointment when he was not chosen to represent the party in the upcoming elections.
In the wake of the PDP’s decision, Mir said he has been consulting with his supporters, well-wishers and friends who have advised him to contest the elections.
While he has not yet decided whether he will run as an independent candidate or under another party’s banner, Mir said he will be running on the people’s mandate.
“I believe that the outcome of an election is determined by the people’s mandate, not by the party ticket,” he said.
The DDC member expressed confidence that his work and dedication to the people of Zainapora would resonate with voters, regardless of the party under which he contests the election.
