Ex-IAS Officer Shah Faesal Announces He’s Forming a New Party

Shah Faesal said he has already applied to the Election Commission for the registration of his political outfit.

Former IAS topper from Kashmir, Shah Faesal.

(Photo: Facebook/Shah Faesal)

Former Indian Administrative Officer Shah Faesal, on Monday 25 February, announced that he is launching a new political party, reported NDTV. He told the news channel that he has already applied to the Election Commission for the registration of his political outfit.

“I want to participate in elections... We are not going to join any existing party, we are going to start our own party.”

Shah Faesal

Faesal – who was the first civil services topper from Kashmir – had announced on 9 January, that he was resigning from the IAS to protest against “unabated killings” and “marginalisation of Indian Muslims” in the Valley. A day after, he said his next course of action depends on what the people of Kashmir want, especially the youth.

Faesal said since the name of his party will need the approval of the Election Commission, he will need some more time before he could reveal the name to the public.

Commenting on the recent developments in Kashmir, including the withdrawal of the security cover to several local politicians and people under threat, Shah Faesal told NDTV, “"It reflects some kind of thoughtlessness within the government... it's like pressing the wrong buttons." Faesal was one of the people whose security was revoked, according to NDTV.