'They have spoiled the mission of the Sheikh'
Syed Ali Safvi
JAMMU, Apr 14: A day after he was denied mandate from Hazardable assembly segment, former legislator and senior National Conference (NC) leader Mohammed Sayeed Akhoon today lashed out at NC top brass, stating that the father-son duo of Farooq and Omar Abdullah had spoiled the mission of NC founder, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
Talking to KTNS on phone from Srinagar, Akhoon said that there was no place left for 'old stalwarts' in the party.
"I have been a member of NC for 45 long years and the party high command did not deem it necessary to take me in confidence before deciding to field Mustafa Kamal from Hazratbal assembly segment," he said.
Stating that Kamal was rejected by Gulmarg electorate twice, Akhoon asked NC why he (Kamal) has been given the party ticket from Hazratbal segment.
Kamal was defeated by Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) president Ghulam Hussain Mir twice in a row from Gulmarg assembly constituency.
Akhoon said NC president Farooq Abdullah had taken the decision not in the party's interest, but in the interest of his family.
"I was in Jammu when, I came to know about NC's decision. I asked (Ali Mohammed) Sagar sahib why NC did not take me in confidence before announcing the mandate," said the disgruntled Akhoon. "But he did not pay heed."
Akhoon said that Sagar did not want to take cudgels with NC high command since the party had nominated his son (Salman Sagar) for Srinagar-Budgam Lok Sabha seat.
"By supporting me, he (Sagar) does not want to upset the party top bosses," he said.
Akhoon, who had been twice elected from Hazratbal segment on NC ticket, had to step aside to make way for Farooq to contest the 2008 assembly election from the constituency.
A senior NC leader had yesterday told the KTNS that the party had been sidelining Akhoon because he had supported his son-in-law, Sheikh Ishfaq, when the later decided to contest 2008 assembly election against Omar Abdullah from Gandherbal constituency.
"Yes that is the reason why I was denied mandate. I have, however, repeatedly stated that I never supported him (Ishfaq). I have distanced myself from my daughter and son-in-law, but unfortunately the party high command is still doubting my integrity," he said. "If there is any allegation proved against me, let NC leaders hang me at Lal Chowk in broad day light."
Akhoon said NC had promised ticket to his son-in-law from Ganderbal, but later the party back tracked.
"In 2002 assembly elections when both Farooq and Omar Abdullah were unable to organise election rally in Ganderbal, they called Ishfaq, who was in Jammu that time, and with his (Ishfaq's) support the father-son duo was able to address two rallies in Ganderbal," he said. "Then they promised him a ticket from constituency, but later they denied.”
Ishfaq was a Sub Inspector in Jammu and Kashmir Police till he resigned from service a few months before the 2008 assembly election, hoping to get NC ticket from Ganderbal.
After he was denied mandate from the NC Parliamentary Board. He contested on Congress ticket and managed to secure 8011 votes.
Asked if he was still thinking of supporting Kamal, Akhoon said that his workers were very angry and it was impossible for him now to organise support for Kamal.
"I think it is a good omen for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)" he said.
NC had yesterday announced the name of Kamal as its candidate for Hazratbal elections. Supporters of Akhoon had staged demonstration outside NC headquarter in Srinagar to protest against the candidature of Kamal.
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