NC old guard is cold to Omar’s new J-K vision

Wali Mohammad Mir (67) came all the way from Trehgam, Kupwara to take part in the National Conference session held here to coronate Omar Abd...

Wali Mohammad Mir (67) came all the way from Trehgam, Kupwara to take part in the National Conference session held here to coronate Omar Abdullah as party chief. Mir joined the party when Sheikh Abdullah was spearheading the ‘‘plebiscite’’ movement of 1953-75.

He can’t believe the party can attract votes without the Sher-i-Kashmir’s name although he admits, ‘‘Omar is capable and will attract youth.’’

Wars don’t solve issues: NC to India, Pakistan

SRINAGAR: The NC on Sunday appealed to India and Pakistan to initiate a ‘‘meaningful dialogue’’ to resolve outstanding issues. Its resolution read: ‘‘NC reiterates its stand that wars do not solve issues but make them more complicated. These only add to the miseries of innocent people.’’

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‘‘We firmly believe both neighbours must avoid war and devote their energies for the welfare of their people,’’ the resolution added. (PTI)

Mir is one among the 9,000 NC delegates who attended today’s session where Abdullah III was declared the NC chief. A majority of the participants were of the old guard, more loyal to the late Sheikh.

But Omar warned workers ‘‘a day will come when they cannot seek votes in Sheikh Abdullah’s name.’’

‘‘We have to do something of our own and get the people’s support,’’ he said, adding the younger generation doesn’t know much about Sheikh and his Naya Kashmir manifesto drafted five decades ago.

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‘‘We, the younger generation, have our own Naya Kashmir dream,’’ he said. Rejecting this as a break from the past, Mir said, ‘‘He is not rejecting the Naya Kashmir of Sher-i-Kashmir. He wants to work for it and do something for the younger generation as well’’.

Ali Mohammad (60) of Pulwama believes the NC cannot get support without Sheikh’s name. Sheikh’s land reforms were the key to support for the party, he said.

Though Omar dismissed reports he was planning to say good bye to the old guard, his ‘‘modern ideas’’ have not enthused them.

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