Srinagar, Sep 01: Separatist leader Syed Salim Geelani on Sunday joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He was welcomed into the party by PDP President Mehbooba Mufti during an event at the party office here.
Addressing the media after his induction, Geelani said, “PDP is committed to democratic, human and political rights. It is the only party that talks about a viable political solution to the Kashmir issue.”
He said violence and arms are not the solution; there is a need for a political resolution to save lives lost to ongoing conflict.
“I couldn’t see any better platform for me other than the PDP. I was always inspired by the late Mufti Muhammad Sayed’s vision. He always talked about resolution of the Kashmir issue and release of people languishing in jails,” he said.
Saleem Geelani was previously a close associate of jailed separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah and served as a general council member of the Hurriyat Conference under the leadership of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
On the occasion, Mufti praised Geelani’s decision to “pursue a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue”. “Even PDP had invited Salim Geelani to contest the upcoming elections on a party ticket, but he declined, suggesting that the opportunity be given to someone else,” she said.
Mehbooba said that the PDP’s agenda is reconciliation and dialogue to resolve the “Kashmir issue” within the Constitution of India. “Hurriyat is not from China or Pakistan, (former Deputy Prime Minister) L K Advani also spoke to Hurriyat,” she said.
