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Updated: Mar 16, 2019 18:55 IST

Former IAS officer Shah Faesal will launch his political party on Sunday at a public function in Srinagar. Faesal had sought a voluntary retirement last year after consultation with his close associates. He has now decided to float his own political party.

Earlier after the former IAS officer submitted his resignation, many of his close associates thought that he will be joining any mainstream political party in Jammu and Kashmir. However, after serious deliberations with people and his associates, the former IAS topper has decided to launch his own party, which has been named as the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement.

Former IAS officer had planned to launch his political party at a function at city’s Indoor stadium but he was denied permission by the government. However, he will be launching his party at a public park at Rajbagh at a function. The former bureaucrat has already sent invitation cards for function.

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Sources close to Faesal said that after naming his party, the former IAS officer is planning to contest both Lok Sabha and assembly elections. He has zeroed in many candidates who will be contesting elections from platform of his political party.

The party has already released a promo, which introduces the former IAS officer as a village boy who excelled in every field and promises that he will help Kashmiri people by introducing a different kind of politics.

Shah Faesal, the 2010 IAS topper organised his first public rally in north Kashmir’s Kupwara town in February. The former IAS officer had started a crowd funding campaign for “clean politics and corruption free administration” in Jammu and Kashmir. Faesal said around Rs 4.82 lakh has been generated and half of the money will be utilised for rehabilitation of pellet victims.

Faesal, who quit over “unabated killings in Kashmir and absence of credible political initiative from the Centre”, indicated that he would be treading an independent path in politics.

“I had never thought that my dream of clean politics and corruption-free administration in J&K would take the shape of a public movement. Respecting the public sentiment, I have decided to chart my independent political journey,” he wrote on facebook in a long post.

The 35-year old, who hails from Kupwara district, became a household name after he became the first person from Jammu and Kashmir to top the IAS exam in 2010. He has been inclined to contest the upcoming elections in the state.

Faesal appeared to attract youth into his fold by talking about human rights and freedom of expression. “I imagine a politics where youth can lead the change and take charge of their future. I wish to partner with a new generation of young leaders who can stand up for human rights, environment, free speech and rule of law,” he said.