Junaid Mattu Expelled from JKPC

Srinagar: Peoples Conference led by Sajad Ghani Lone Saturday announced expulsion of its senior leader Junaid Mattu from the party.

“J-K Peoples Conference would like confirm that Mr. Junaid Mattu is no longer associated with the party. The party’s association with Mr. Mattu ended weeks back,” PC said in a tweet.

J& K Peoples Conference would like confirm that Mr. Junaid Mattu is no longer associated with the party. The party’s association with Mr. Mattu has ended weeks back.

— J&K Peoples’ Conference (@JKPC_) September 26, 2020

Mattu was the party chief spokesperson prior to his disassociation.

A source in the PC revealed that Matoo had drveloped differences with the party leader on the Gupkar Declaration– a resolution issued after an all-party meeting on August 4, 2019, at the Gupkar residence of NC president Farooq Abdullah.

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Pertinently, in an interview, when asked does he still agree with the BJP that claims Abdullahs and Muftis have created a mess in Kashmir, Sajad Lone said that he doesn’t agree with the BJP discourse.

“As far my statements are concerned. No, I don’t stand by them anymore. I withdraw all my statements. We may fight it out in the future but we will not allow our differences to facilitate non-Kashmiris coming to rule us, to slander us, to humiliate our people.”

Meanwhile, Mattu, in a series of tweets, said the association with the JKPC ended due to his differences with the party on certain stands and issues.

I’m glad the speculations have ended and there is a confirmation from both sides today that my association with @JKPC_ has come to an end. This is something that has evolved over the last couple of months due to my differences on certain stands and issues, the former Srinagar Mayor posted on Twitter.

I’m glad the speculations have ended and there is a confirmation from both sides today that my association with @JKPC_ has come to an end.

This is something that has evolved over the last couple of months due to my differences on certain stands and issues.

1/n

— Junaid Azim Mattu (@Junaid_Mattu) September 26, 2020

Mattu said he believed the party’s investment in the ‘Gupkar Declaration’ is and will be reciprocated only by insincerity and disingenuity by the National Conference.

The resolution at the end of the meet on August 4, 2019, a day before the Centre announced its decision of revocation of J&K’s special status and its split into two union territories, said the parties unanimously resolved that they would be united in their resolve to protect and defend the identity, autonomy and special status of Jammu and Kashmir against all attacks and onslaughts.

A year later, on August 22 this year, the political parties issued another joint statement saying they adhere to the last year’s declaration.

Mattu said, I, however – strongly – believe that the party’s investment in the Gupkar Declaration is and will be reciprocated only by insincerity and disingenuity by the JKNC – and this time will prove. NC’s blatant insincerity started with SMC but won’t end there. Mark my words.

He said the complicity of today’s vanguards and yesteryear’s facilitators of erosion and disempowerment cannot be erased or wished away.

I am of the firm opinion that we can’t allow August 5th to whitewash history and assume our history starts here. The complicity of today’s vanguards and yesteryear’s facilitators of erosion and disempowerment – that can’t be erased or wished away. That’s the limited point, Mattu said in another tweet.

The former JKPC spokesperson, however, said he will continue to cherish his personal bond and association with JKPC chairman Sajad Gani Lone.

In @sajadlone I have always sought and found an elder brother and a mentor and I will continue to cherish my personal bond and association with him. I respect him and hold him in high esteem and that will remain unchanged, Mattu said.

Mattu had joined the JKPC after winning the low key mayoral polls of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) in 2018. He had quit the NC in September that year to contest the local bodies polls.

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