SECOND INNINGS | Muzaffar Baig, Safina rejoin PDP after 3 years

Bijbehara, Jan 7: Former deputy chief minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig and his wife and Safina Baig rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after three years at an event marking the 8th death anniversary of PDP founder, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in the Bijbehara area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Sunday.

“Previously, I was her (Mehbooba’s) comrade. For the last month I have been her brother,” said Baig, provoking thunderous applause from hundreds of PDP workers.

Baig had parted ways with PDP over the seat-sharing adjustment with for People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) during the District Development Council (DDC) elections in 2020.

However, last November, Baig accompanied by his wife visited Mehbooba’s residence at Srinagar, setting rumour mills churning about their reunion with the party.

However, a PDP spokesman billed their visit as a mere courtesy call and scotched the rumours that the duo was returning to the party.

Though Baig did not explicitly announce his decision to rejoin the party, he dropped clear hints, suggesting a new beginning with the party.

PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan told Greater Kashmir that Baig and his wife formally re-joined the party.

In his rather brief address, Baig said that as a brother of the PDP president, if he had to sacrifice his life for her, he was ready to do so.

Baig said that his two daughters were Mehbooba’s biggest supporters.

“I was steering clear of talking politics at home for the last few years as there was wisdom in keeping silent. But now I will tell my daughters that their favourite leader about whom they would argue with me will regain the status that she once held,” he said.

Baig said that PDP founder Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was the only Muslim leader who became the Home Minister of India.

“It was he who adopted the healing touch policy after violence flared up in Kashmir,” Baig said.

Later, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, in her address while talking about the return of Baig and his wife to the party, said, “We should forget all differences and work together to take J&K out of the crisis.”