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| EFFORTS TO ROPE IN MODERATE SEPARATISTS TO CONTEST ELECTIONS NOT PRODUCTIVE | | |
Jammu, May 22
The behind the scene diplomacy of the Government of India in persuading moderate separatists for participating in the next Assembly election has,for the time being,failed.None other than the chairman of All Party Hurriyat Conference,Molvi Umar Farooq,has discouraged those agencies which were trying to hook the moderates for taking part in the poll.
Addressing a huge congregation in connection with the death anniversary of the founder of Awami Action Committee,Molvi Mohd.Farooq,and the founder of Peoples’Conference,Mr Abdul Gani Lone,in Srinagar on Monday the Kashmir Mirwaiz announced “we will not participate in the election whether held in 2008 or 2080.” He had stated that particpation in the poll was ruled out till the Kashmir issue was settled.
His announcement was supported by other party leaders who also stated that poll for forming the Government was not their goal.The Monday congregation further confirmed reports that the APHC leaders were more interested in seeing Delhi-Hurriyat talks getting resumed than any discussion on their participation in the election.They made it clear that if the purpose of the election was to form the Government Delhi should get in touch with National Conference and the PDP whose leaders were power hungry.And if Delhi was keen to see the 60-year old Kashmir issue resolved it should not only continue the dialogue process with Islamabad but also involve “us” in the talks.
POlitical observers are of the opinion that three factors are responsible for the Hurriyat’s “NO” to moves for wooing them for taking part in the elections.
Firstly, the APHC leaders are scared of Syed Ali Shah Geelani who continues to hold bigger influence on people of various shades. Mr Geelani also has bigger pockets of influence in the Kashmir valley than all the APHC leaders.
Secondly, willingness of the APHC to enter into dialogue with the Government of India had already enhancded the level of their vulnerability. And to discredit them Mr Geelani and other hardliners have started dubbing them as agents of Delhi.Hence participation in the election could lead to greater risks and exposure.
Thirdly,since the pockets of influence of leaders of various constituents of the APHC are limited it may not be possible for them to win the majority of Assembly seats.Once it happened the Hurriyat leaders may be called as paper tigers,according to the observers.
However,these observers said that the strength of the APHC leadership flows from the recognition it has received from Pakistani establishment, including President Gen. Parvez Musharraf.Gen. Musharraf had recognised the Hurriyat leaders as a representatives body when the moderates had visited Pakistan over one and a half years ago.These observers favour resumption of Delhi-APHC dialogue so that the centre could keep these moderates in good humour lest they change their stance and toe pro-Pakistan line.(
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