Geelani to boycott Jamaat-e-Islami elections

Srinagar, July 3: Breakaway Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani has accused the Jamaat-e-Islami of ''breaching the constitution'' and threatened that his Tehreek-e-Hurriyat will boycott the forthcoming elections of the organisation.

He said the Jamaat-e-Islami has breached the constitution by breaking its agreement with the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.

''The day Tehreek-e-Hurriyat was formed, the Jamaat-e-Islami in a written statement said that it had no objection to the move. But, on June 30, its chief Syed Nazir Ahmed Kashani unexpectedly severed ties with the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat and asked me to rejoin the organisation,'' Mr Geelani added.

The firebrand leader said this was a breach of written agreement and the Jamaat-e-Islami constitution.

''Breaking an agreement is against the teachings of Islam,'' he said, adding Mr Kashani without taking into consideration the opinion of the Jamaat-e-Islami members passed a direct ruling which was against the constitution of the organisation.

Mr Geelani said the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat would boycott the forthcoming district-level elections in the Jamaat-e-Islami.

''I don't accept the decision and my party will boycott the forthcoming district elections of the Jamaat-e-Islami,'' he added.

UNI