Hurriyat Leader Syed Salim Geelani Joins PDP, Advocates for Political Resolution in Kashmir
In a Political Shift, Hurriyat's Syed Geelani Joins Mehbooba Mufti's PDP
SRINAGAR, Sept 1: Syed Salim Geelani, a prominent separatist leader and member of the Hurriyat Conference, made a significant move on Sunday by joining the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Geelani’s decision to align with the PDP was formalized in the presence of the party’s president, Mehbooba Mufti, at the PDP office.
Speaking to the media after his induction, Geelani highlighted the PDP’s commitment to advocating for democratic, human, and political rights in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that the PDP’s focus on finding a political solution to the Kashmir issue resonated with his own beliefs, stating, “I believe the Kashmir issue can only be resolved through political means. The use of violence and armed conflict is not a solution; we need to save lives through peaceful dialogue.”
Geelani, who was formerly a close associate of jailed separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, served as a general council member of the Hurriyat Conference under the leadership of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. His decision to join the PDP marks a notable shift in his political journey.
Mehbooba Mufti, in her welcome address, expressed optimism about Geelani’s commitment to peaceful resolution, noting that his experience and stance could contribute positively to the ongoing efforts for peace in the region. Although the PDP had encouraged Geelani to contest the upcoming elections on the party’s ticket, he politely declined, suggesting that another candidate should be given the opportunity.
In addition to Geelani, several other political figures joined the PDP, including former Congress leader Altaf Ahmad Malik. Meanwhile, on the same day, the National Conference witnessed the departure of two of its leaders—Babu Jagjiwan Lal and Suhail Bukhari—who joined the Congress, along with two former MLAs, Mumtaz Khan and Abdul Rahim Rather, and rights activist Irfan Hafeez Lone. These developments underscore the fluid and dynamic nature of Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.
