In a sudden turn of events which is set to change the power matrix in Jammu and Kashmir in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig Sunday rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the occasion of the eighth death anniversary of party founder Mufti Mohd Sayeed.

Baig returned to the party fold along with his wife Safina Baig, former Chairperson of District Development Council, Baramulla in the presence of party Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti after a gap of more than two years.

Baig left the party as differences grew between him and the PDP Chief after the Abrogation of Article 370. He later joined the bandwagon of Peoples Conference Chief Sajad Lone but was expelled after a gap of a few months.

As per the latest political grapevine in Kashmir valley, several other PDP leaders are expected to return to the party fold in the coming months.

Before Baig’s homecoming PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti reportedly faced tough resistance from within the ranks of the party. A section of the party leadership had openly opposed his reentry into the party fold as they labeled him as an ‘opportunist’ who jumped the party ship while it was sinking rather than steering it through the rough weather. 

Before Baig was formally welcomed by the party Chief he offered special prayers at the mausoleum of  Mufti Mohd Sayeed at Bijbehara in the south Kashmir district of Anantnag. Interacting with the media persons on Sunday Muzaffar Hussain Baig maintained he never left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but was inactive for some time.

 “I didn’t leave PDP. I was inactive for quite some time but I’m still associated with the party. The relation between me and PDP is like a single soul,” Baig said.

Replying to a query, he said a person cannot set a house on fire which he had built himself.

Paying rich tributes to Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on his 8th death anniversary at his grave in Dara Shikov park, Baig said he is missing the PDP founder like a son misses his father.

When asked about his possible election of Lok Sabha candidate from north Kashmir, Baig replied that it is upon party leadership who will decide and take a call on it.

On the occasion,  Party President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urged party workers and supporters not to lose hope in the face of challenges. She emphasized the importance of continuing the struggle for dignified peace through the values and vision set forth by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.