Srinagar, May 13:  Asserting that he wouldn’t join electoral politics, Peoples Conference Chairman and senior Hurriyat (M) leader Bilal Gani Lone on Sunday said separatists should fight mainstream parties rather than indulging in scoring points over each other.
 Addressing a gathering here organized to pay tributes to his slain father and PC founder Abdul Gani Lone, Bilal said, mainstream parties National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are “biggest enemies” of Kashmiris.
 Apparently referring to the demand to restructure Hurriyat (M) by some of its members, Lone said they would not accept anybody’s hegemony and the decision of majority should prevail over in-house issues. “Nobody can thrust his own ideas or views. We will support the decision accepted by the majority,” Bilal said.
 He said, “Hurriyat Conference (M) represents sacrifices and sentiments of Kashmiris. I am committed to the decision which I have taken in 2002. I will never allow the sacrifices rendered by martyrs, including my father, to go in a vain. I am committed to take the mission of the martyrs to its logical end. It is better to sit together to solve our own issues rather than going public.”
 Bilal said, “People who are indulging in propaganda against us should know that we have our own political constituency and we don’t survive on Friday politics and handouts.”
 The PC chairman also called separatist leadership to devise a strategy in view of the changing global and ground realities. “It is high time for leadership to ponder over why 26 countries
 attained independence in the  past two decades and why we couldn’t achieve our goal,” he added.   
 Bilal claimed that some of the mainstream and separatist groups want to maintain status-quo for their “vested interests”.
 He said Pakistan is the benefactor of Kashmiris but he was quick to add that Kashmiris would not accept their mastery. “Nobody including India and Pakistan can dictate terms to us,” he added.
 The PC leader clarified that his apology over infighting within the Hurriyat (M) was not meant for separatist leadership or “letter-pad” outfits. “I only tendered apology to the people who have rendered their beloved ones during the ongoing movement and not for the two- member
 parties,  who exist on letter-pads only,” he said.
 Among others, who spoke on the occasion included Abdul Manan Bukhari, Farooq Tawheedi and Mir Muzaffar.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 IST