Srinagar, Nov 15 (HS): Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Sunday reacted to the possible induction of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s granddaughter, Ruwa Shah, into the PDP, saying the decision is her own, but that “if this is an attempt at Delhi’s behest to wipe out Geelani’s legacy, it would be wrong.”

Speaking to reporters in Ganderbal, he said the country is a democracy and anyone can join any party, adding that there is no problem with it. “If she wants to join on her own, that’s very good,” he said.

Lone said Geelani has a legacy of his own. “If this is the PDP’s usual ploy at Delhi’s behest to erase that legacy, then it is not right,” he added.

Asked about the alleged crackdown and detentions after the attack on the CRPF in Kulgam, he strongly condemned the practice. However, he said Kashmiris should remember that this is not a recent phenomenon and has been going on for the past 30 years.

He claimed that it was started by the National Conference and the PDP. According to him, humiliating Kashmiris, dragging them in, and denying police verification to all relatives of a family if one member is a terrorist or an overground worker (OGW) happened under the watch of these two parties.

Addressing Delhi, Lone asked: “What kind of manliness is it to drag a poor Kashmiri in?” He said only poor and ordinary Kashmiris were being targeted.

Asked about locals allegedly being stopped from mining, he criticised the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and said he sees no difference between the Omar Abdullah government and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration. According to him, this does not look like a local government, and it is the biggest enemy of employment.

He claimed that those who had promised one lakh new government jobs had instead replaced government posts with private jobs through outsourcing. According to Lone, outsourcing will turn out to be the biggest scam in the days to come.

Pertinent to mention that, according to reports, Ruwa Shah, a granddaughter of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, is in talks to join the PDP. In March 2024, she issued a public notice distancing herself from the Hurriyat Conference founded by her late grandfather.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat