Mirwaiz Hurriyat will contest next J

Srinagar, Apr 18 (UNI) National Conference (NC) Chief Omar Abdullah today claimed that the Moderate Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, will contest the next Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, and also appealed to hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani to show some flexibility.

''Days are not far when the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat Conference will participate in the assembly polls,'' Mr Abdullah told journalists after addressing a public meeting at Kanelwan in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir.

While welcoming the Gujjar and Pahari group in his faction yesterday, Mirwaiz had assured them that their grievances on the basic amenities and infrastructure would be redressed only after the moderate Hurriyat Conference's participation in polls, he claimed.

''I am happy that the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat Conference has learnt from the past mistakes of 17 years and is now preparing to take part in the next assembly elections,'' the NC president said.

Mr Abdullah also said the Mirwaiz had assured the Gujjar and Pahari group that jobs would be provided to the youth belonging to the community and the requisite infrastructure set up in their areas.

''That is why the Gujjars joined the Hurriyat Conference. The separatist amalgam told them that the promise could turn into reality once it participates in the next assembly polls,'' he added.

He also appealed to Mr Geelani to show some flexibility.

UNI