Karan Singh's son Ajatshatru Singh has made news by contesting the assembly polls on a National Conference (NC) ticket. A controversial move, since his grandfather, King Hari Singh, had been ousted from the throne of Jammu & Kashmir by Sheikh Abdullah. Ajatshatru tells Outlook why he decided to end the family feud. Excerpts:
Why did you decide to join the NC? There was an ideological difference between my grandfather and Sheikh Abdullah. But the times have changed. I felt it is the turn of the younger generation to forget the differences and start afresh. Time is a great healer. I did not see anything wrong in my joining the NC.
Your's has been a Congress family.
Yes, they (the Congress) did a lot to pressurise me. They did not want me to join hands with Farooq. But I don't see any point in continuing with a party in which there is corruption in the basic values.
Does your family approve?
I am sure that my father has enough confidence in me to see some sense in what I have done. Our families—Sheikh sahib's and my family—have been feuding for years. It has helped no one. So I said 'let's end the fight'.
What was the reaction of the NC partymen to your induction?
There was some initial criticism. But they have all been extremely good to me. They have accepted me.
Did you go to Farooq or did Farooq come to you?
No, it's nothing like that. Farooq has always been keen to resolve the feud between our families. So when I recently met Farooq in Delhi and he asked me if I was contesting the elections and I said 'yes' he asked me if I would like to contest for him. I said okay. That's how it all happened.
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