Anantnag, Jan 2: Former parliamentarian and noted politician from south Kashmir's Anantnag district Dr Mehboob Beg, infamous for shifting loyalties, is mulling to quit politics.
Dr Beg, who was on Tuesday removed as Chief Spokesperson by the ruling People's Democratic Party has reportedly decided to quit politics as the National Conference-with which he was previously associated- has decided not to entertain him anymore.
"After the death of late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, PDP continued to ignore Dr Mehboob Beg," his close associate told Early Times.
He pointed out many instances and said, "Naeem Akther despite being designated as spokesperson for the collation government snubbed Dr Beg many times for issuing statements."
"As a spokesperson, he rarely issued statements and confronted media," he said, claiming works Minister Naeem Akther never allowed Dr Beg to function as chief spokesperson."
The aide said, "We suggested Dr Beg not to join PDP but contrary to our suggestion he (Dr Beg) went ahead and this is what he got."
"He lost the election on NC ticket because we didn't vote in his favor as he didn't work much for the people of Anantnag but that doesn't mean we had totally rejected him. In the next election if he had not changed the colors we would have elected him again because we know he is a politician who always prefers to side with public," said Abdul Hamid, a shopkeeper in Anantnag town. "Dr Beg committed political suicide by joining PDP. He has lost support and confidence of Anantnag residents," he added.
A source said that only eleven workers attended a meeting which Dr Beg called at his residence on Monday to discuss several issues. "In the meeting, Dr Beg conveyed to his trusted associates that he wasn't being taken into confidence by PDP while deciding some important matters. So in the given situation he would prefer to quit politics instead of joining Bhartiya Janta Party or Congress," sources added.
It may be recalled that Dr Mehboob Beg, in 2014 quit National Conference and announced his support to late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed. Sensing defeat, he refused to contest from Anantnag assembly constituency and campaigned for late Sayeed.
Dr Mehboob Beg, son of National Conference founding member Mirza Muhammad Afzal Beg, later joined PDP and was nominated as PDP chief spokesperson but today PDP removed him and nominated JKTDC Vice Chairman Rafi Ahmad Mir as chief spokesperson of the party.(ET)