JKPM biggest platform for youth, will welcome politicians with unblemished record: Shah Faesal

Former IAS officer and founder of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples' Movement (JKPM) Shah Faesal Sunday said his outfit would be the biggest platform for the youth, but will keep its doors open for politicians having "unblemished record".

Faesal, along with other senior party leaders including former PDP minister Javaid Mustafa Mir, reached winter capital Jammu on a three-day visit Saturday to garner support and inform the people about the vision of the party which was launched in Srinagar on March 21.

"We have talked to the people of Kashmir and have come here with a message of brotherhood, collectivity and to meet future and present leadership. It is a new political experiment where we talk about giving justice to the people of all the regions without any consideration for the region, colour, creed and caste," Faesal told reporters after addressing a gathering here.

A man among the audience tried to intercept Mir's speech earlier and raised the issue of his welcome into the party fold.

"Why he (Mir) was taken into the party fold when you are speaking of new thinking and the party being an alternative to the traditional political parties," the man, hailing from Doda, was heard saying, leading to a brief exchange of words between him and Mir.

Responding to a question related to the issue raised by the man, Faesal said, "It is good that young people are linking with us, but we need experienced persons as well."
He also raised the issue of political reservation to the minority communities like Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and Christians and said "we would also like to set up planning board to ensure development of underdeveloped areas on a fast track basis with no interference from the political establishment and reorganising of recruitment agencies to ensure transparency."