PDP leader, Srinagar Lok Sabha MP, Tariq Hameed Karra quits party

Srinagar: Founding PDP leader and Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Tariq Hameed Karra resigned from the party as well as Parliament on Thursday to protest against "brutal policies" of ruling BJP at the centre and Jammu and Kashmir government's complete surrender before it.

"I have decided to disassociate myself from the primary membership of the PDP and from the membership of the Parliament to which I was elected from the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency in 2014 on PDP ticket," Karra told reporters at his residence here.

Karra alleged that the central and state governments policies of "unabated genocide", continued denial of the dangerous ground realities, insensitive and adhoc approach towards Kashmir issue and blatant policy of dealing with Kashmiris by way of "oppressive, repressive and suppressive measures" were the other reasons for his resignation.

"My heart is bleeding and my soul is crying for the people of my homeland. My conscience cannot take it any longer," Karra said.

The Lok Sabha member from Sringar said PDP was floated in 1999 to safeguard lives, property, honour, dignity, self respect and political aspirations of the people. "But today, in the present tragic circumstances, (PDP) made a U-turn and treated its subjects much worst than the Nazi forces. I feel still continuing with them would be equally subscribing to the administratively inhuman and politically unethical blunders," he said.

The 61-year-old said the PDP was formed to act as buffer between the Centre and state. "The launch of this new political dispensation was on the premise as facilitators rather than collaborators or obstructionists for the permanent, peaceful and everlasting resolution of Kashmir issue."

"I was forcefully consistent on it so that PDP buffer character would be saved which had blood and sweat of thousands of dedicated and selfless workers in it," Karra said defending his decision to resign after 69-days of unrest in Kashmir in which nearly 80 people have been killed and thousand others have been injured.

Karra is the first Lok Sabha member from Jammu and Kashmir to have resigned from the Parliament.

He said he is leaving it to the conscience of all other members of Parliament, MLAs and MLCs from his party to decide whether they would like to side with their helpless people or let this bloodshed continue- "perpetuated by RSS-drived BJP and facilitated by the PDP."