Sameer Kaul quits PDP

Peoples Democratic Party's Kashmiri Pandit face and national spokesperson Dr Sameer Kaul resigned from the party, quoting alliance with the BJP as the reason. Speaking to the Hindustan Times a day after he resigned, the Delhi-based renowned oncologist said that his resignation was because of the U-turn the party took after elections.

Peoples Democratic Party's Kashmiri Pandit face and national spokesperson Dr Sameer Kaul resigned from the party, quoting alliance with the BJP as the reason.

Speaking to the Hindustan Times a day after he resigned, the Delhi-based renowned oncologist said that his resignation was because of the U-turn the party took after elections.

"The party (PDP) has compromised on the very principles on which it was created. The primary being alliance with the BJP after fighting elections on an anti-BJP agenda," Dr Kaul said.

"Besides when I joined, the PDP promised they will be representatives of everybody, Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and all minorities, but they have failed on that promise. I am also answerable to my own community,'' he added.

On alliance with the BJP, Dr Kaul said that Kashmiri Pandits are not pro-BJP. "Had they been pro-BJP, they would have voted for the party. Even the ballot votes from the community showed that they did not prefer the party. Kashmiri Pandits are Kashmiris, they know the BJP is not pro-Kashmir. All the rural Kashmiri Pandit votes went to the PDP,'' he said.

The BJP, which was banking on the Kashmiri Pandit votes in the Valley, failed to open an account in Kashmir.

Dr Kaul had joined the PDP four years ago and was the party's "very visible Kashmiri Pandit face." Insiders say the differences with the party erupted immediately after the election results threw up a hung assembly. Dr Kaul, though the national spokesman, was given no responsibility in the party. He was not even part of the negotiations during the run-up to formation of alliance.
"When I joined the party, I did for some reason. The party appeared honest with a vision to do good, but ultimately it was only power that they wanted and they (PDP leadership) proved they can do anything for power,'' he said.

Although the eminent doctor has not announced "sanyas" (retirement) from politics, he wants to take it easy for some time. "It was weighing on my conscience for some time. I am feeling much better after resigning,'' he added.

The party, however, refused to comment on Dr Kaul's resignation. On the sidelines of the function in Srinagar, chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said he has "no knowledge about the issue."