J&K CM Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s son likely to join politics

American Film Institute graduate Tassaduq Hussain, the son of late J&K CM Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, may join active politics, in which case he is likely to be assigned “immense responsibility” and given important party work in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well.

Mr Hussain, 44, who has lensed Bollywood blockbusters like Omkara and Kaminey, attended a meeting of the PDP’s extended core group held here on Sunday, giving credence to reports that he has been successfully persuaded by the family and some close associates of his late father to join active politics and supplement the effort aimed at taking his “mission” forward. The meeting chaired by his sister and party president Mehbooba Mufti discussed threadbare a slew of issues, particularly forming a new government in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Hussain had earlier repeatedly said that he is not interested in politics. His mother Gulshan Nazir Ara, when asked about it, had said in an interview, “Wherever he is, he should be happy.”

But sources in the PDP said that he has now agreed to help Ms Mufti, who is likely to take over as chief minister later this month. The PDP was launched by Sayeed and his daughter Mehbooba in 1999.