The Hindu : People's Conference men in fray?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 30, 2002

National

National

People's Conference men in fray?

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR AUG. 29. Four independent candidates have joined the electoral fray in Kupwara district with the `covert support' of the People's Conference, an important constituent of the Hurriyat Conference, causing discomfort to the ruling National Conference (NC).

Two `active' members of Sajjad Lone's People's Conference, Ghulam Mohiuddin Sofi and Abdul Haq Vakil, filed nominations from Handwara and Lolab. The third candidate, Farooq Ahmed Mirchal, filed his papers from Karnah.

All the three said they resigned from the People's Conference, just a day before filing nominations. A former State Minister, Ghulam Qadir Mir, put up a show of strength by organising a rally of supporters at the district headquarters. It is believed that he is also enjoying support from the People's Conference cadre.

While Mr. Sofi is pitted against the NC heavyweight and Agriculture Minister, Chowdary Mohammad Ramzan, Mr. Vakil would face the Minister of State for Law, Mushtaq Ahmed Lone. Mr. Mir, who is Chairman of State-owned Cooperative Bank, is fighting against the sitting Kupwara MLA, Saifullah Mir.

He sought an NC ticket from Kupwara and was enjoying the support of the party president, Omar Abdullah, but did not get it following stiff opposition.

Mr. Sofi and Mr. Vakil said that they were forced by the people to join the fray. Mr. Sofi, who is also president of the Traders Federation, came to Handwara town with a large gathering and vowed to get rid of what he called the ``exploitative regime of the National Conference''.

Pro-freedom slogans were raised in the rally, which Mr. Sofi said, was a clear indication of a change in the people's mood.

When contacted Sajjad Lone denied that these candidates had the party's blessings. ``We know these rumours are part of a concerted campaign of the enemies who have all along been against our party and the late Abdul Gani Lone,'' he said adding ``it is unfortunate to have mass base in these times''. ``If they have filed their nominations they will either have to resign or will be expelled,'' he said.

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