15 Independents join hands to push NC out

After Muslim United Front in 1987, this is the first broad-based mainstream political alliance that is willing to support anti-NC political forces to form a government. A Kashmiri Pandit member has lent the forum representation from Jammu division as well.

An impression has already gained ground that Congress, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and PC proxies have entered into a poll agreement. Congress withdrew its Lolab candidate yesterday in favour of PC proxy Abdul Haque Khan.

Earlier, the party had withdrawn three men in Anantang to prevent vote split with PDP. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s party did the same for PC proxies by refusing to field candidates from four Kupwara segments.

The forum dubbed the NC leadership people’s enemy no. 1. According to its members, they have bagged votes because people nurse a deep hatred against NC. ‘‘So we have no moral right to shake hands with NC and disrespect people’s verdict. We pledge we will remain away from NC, which is anti-people.’’

At a press conference here today, Sofi said the forum will work for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir tangle and fight violence sponsored by the state or otherwise.

The four NC deserters are Kupwara’s Ghulam Qadir Mir, Habakadal’s Raman Matoo, Budgam’s Aga Mehmood, and Gurez’s Faqir Mohammad Khan. All quit NC after they were denied party tickets.

‘‘We have helped consolidate the position of those Independent candidates who are in a winning position. The forum will cut down on attempts at horsetrading by NC,’’ said Ghulam Qadir Mir, PC-backed Independent from Kupwara.

The forum struck a balance and said that elections can’t be an alternative to the right to self-determination. A forum joint statement, however, said: ‘‘Why is election not taboo in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, and why is a poll boycott call avoided there? Why this double standard?

‘‘Through elections, people choose representatives for administrative purpose, and participating in such elections is in no way a crime. Anyway, the Kashmir issue is not going to be solved in a week or 10 days.’’

The forum urged New Delhi to shun rigidity and start a dialogue with all sections of people, including those in the Assembly and outside (read Hurriyat).

Without naming any militant group or the Hurriyat, the forum said: ‘‘Kashmir is not the estate of any group or individual. Nobody has the right to abandon the path of reason and logic, and forcibly thrust his wishes and whims and doubt the intentions of others.’’

The forum members vowed to work for peace. ‘‘We will try to create an atmosphere where…people are not killed because of political differences and innocents are not put behind bars. We want rule of law, and not barrel of gun,’’ the statement said.