Former J

Srinagar, Apr 21 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir minister Ghulam Hassan Mir was today suspended from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while two other rebel leaders were expelled.

A spokesman of the PDP said Party president Ms Mehbooba Mufti today suspended Mr Mir from the party membership for his anti-party activities.

Mr Mir had won the 2002 election on PDP ticket from Tangmarg after defeating Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, brother of former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah.

He said two other leaders Ghulam Qadir Pardesi and Zaffar Ahmad, a municipal councillor were also expelled from the basic membership of the party.

Mr Mir has challenged the party leadership and openly supported an independent candidate Shoaib Lone from Sangrama constituency, going to poll along with Pattan and Rafiabad assembly segments on Monday.

He also accused the Deputy Chief Minster Muzaffar Hussain Baig of being behind the poll boycott posters that had come up in three Assembly constituencies of Pattan, Sangrama and Rafiabad in Baramulla district where by-elections would be held on April 24.

Mr Mir had addressed a several election meetings in favour of Lone, son former minister and senior PDP leader Dr Ghulam Nabi Lone, who was assassinated in a fidayeen attack at Tulsibagh near here last year. However, PDP denied ticket to Lone and instead put Baig, nephew of Muzaffar Baig, from Sangrma constituency.

UNI BAS KD KN2205