PDP suspends former J

Srinagar, Apr 21 (UNI) People's Democratic Party (PDP) today suspended former Jammu and Kashmir Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir from the party while expelling two other rebel leaders.

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

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

Two other leaders, Mr Ghulam Qadir Pardesi and Mr Zaffar Ahmad, a Municipal Councillor, were expelled from the primary membership of the party, the spokesman said.

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

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

Mr Mir had addressed several election meetings in favour of Mr 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.

The PDP, however, denied ticket to Mr Lone and instead put Mr Javed Hassan Baig, nephew of Deputy Chief Minister Baig, from Sangrma constituency.

UNI BAS VJ KN2059