Date:26/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/26/stories/2008102659851000.htm

National

Lone calls for poll boycott

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: Accusing New Delhi of abusing the institution of dialogue and not honouring popular sentiment, People’s Conference (PC) chairman Sajjad Gani Lone on Saturday called for boycott of elections and announced launch of an anti-poll campaign throughout the Valley.

Mr. Lone, considered a moderate separatist leader, said the Centre had failed to pursue the dialogue process and was not sincere in resolving the Kashmir dispute. He said he had received no acknowledgement for his vision document entitled “Achievable Nationhood” to the Prime Minister.

“I believe in the institution of dialogue which is much bigger than the Indian state itself. In return for my vision document, New Delhi has denied visa to my two kids and wife who are stranded in Pakistan for the past nine months,” he said.