KL Report
SRINAGAR
Huriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani Saturday took strong exception to the statement attributed to him that separatist leadership should not enforce an election boycott in Kashmir during these elections and rather leave it to the discretion of the people to make their own decision about poll boycott. Geelani said he never issued any such statement.
The Huriyat veteran while talking to KNS said that his amalgam has already appealed for the complete boycott of elections and has asked people not to forget the sacrifices rendered by the people for their birth right. “We have issued a complete boycott call. This is the hand work of some elements to confuse the situation. I have never issued any such statement wherein I have retreated from my stand on polls.”
Geelani said further that the system of elections are based on ‘lies’ and that people must not pay any heed to any such remarks that are being wrongly attributed to the pro-freedom leadership of Kashmir.
Interestingly, the statement of Geelani was making rounds in the social networking sites. Also the chief minister Omar Abdullah while addressing election rallies in Sumbal and Kangan on Saturday welcomed the apparent decision of Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the separatist leadership to not enforce an election boycott in Kashmir during these elections and rather leave it to the discretion of the people to make their own decision. “This is a very welcome step by Geelani Sahab and we all need to realize that election boycotts have given the people of J&K nothing but political dis-empowerment and a weakening of our regional character in politics. The elections of 2014 are crucial and an election boycott this time around would have far-reaching, irreversible and detrimental consequences not only on Article 370 or our special status but also our political stature and voice as a people. I hope and pray that people come out and vote in large numbers in these elections and reinforce their defense of their political aspirations and the interests of J&K”, Omar said.
