Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Qayoom Wani on Thursday decided to quit politics in protest against abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K into two Union Territories.
”I will never be a part of any political system in my life and I vow to help people apolitically as a social worker, civil society member and in the capacity of the former trade union leader. I will continue to raise voice against the abrogation of Article-370, 35-A and the division of the state,” Mr Wani said in a statement issued here on Thursday.
”Not only PDP, I will not be part of any political party in the future,” Mr Wani said.
Mr Wani said he remained in politics for just one year, during which he remained in Central Jail, Srinagar for six months post August 5. ”During this period, I observed and confronted with huge political realities which opened my eyes,” he said.
”I have always respected the sentiments of the employees and common people for which I have faced the brunt of various governments in the erstwhile state and was even thrown behind the bars many times but even that two did not break my resolve in serving the public and the employees community,” he said.
Mr Wani, who unsuccessfully contested the Baramulla parliamentary elections last year on PDP ticket, was among dozens of political leaders detained following abrogation of special status of J&K.