A Break With The Patron

Was Khan, who also heads President Pervez Musharraf's Kashmir Committee, acting under US pressure following secretary of state Colin Powell's recent visit? The news that Musharraf's man on Kashmir affairs had called up Bhat led to a virtual revolt by the Hurriyat's Pakistan chapter against the PoK government and Gen Musharraf. The Pakistan chapter is opposed to elections and senior Hurriyat leaders in Srinagar declare, under its influence, that a dialogue must precede polls.

"We may be a confused and divided lot but as far as elections are concerned we are very clear. Unless there is a dialogue and the Kashmir issue resolved, there's no point in taking part in the elections," a senior APHC leader told Outlook. But there are others in the Hurriyat who are of the view that by shying away from the poll process it will further marginalise itself. It is these disgruntled elements that New Delhi's interlocutors are working upon.

By remaining silent on the developments across the border, senior APHC leaders in Srinagar are being seen as endorsing the Pakistan chapter's view and saying no to polls. Says Bilal Ghani Lone, chairman of the People's Conference, an important constituent of Hurriyat: "Those leaders in Pakistan have been living there for some time, thus they may be the best judges of what they said. I don't know what prompted them to protest against the PoK government. But they must have their reasons."

It's the first time that differences between the PoK leadership and the Hurriyat has come to the fore. Ironically, the current PoK regime is understood to be working in tandem with the Musharraf government and the revolt against it by the Hurriyat leadership in Pakistan indicates its proclivity for a hardline approach.

The revolt in Pakistan is being led by senior Hurriyat leaders like Mohammed Sidiq Ganai, Altaf Qadri, Mohammed Yousuf Naseem, Mohammed Faiz. All represent their parent political groups based in J&K. These Hurriyat leaders have said that the PoK government had failed to address the genuine concerns of the people of Kashmir adding that instead of supporting the "Kashmir cause" they are sabotaging it by their dubious tactics.

The Pakistan-based Hurriyat leaders have been sharply critical of the PoK government. Khan has been accused of merely mouthing pro-azadi statements while secretly working with Musharraf and the US.

The hardened stance taken by the Hurriyat across the border will impact on the possibility of APHC-backed candidates participating in the polls. According to an APHC source, even if second- and third-rung leaders opt for polls, the organisation will continue to oppose elections.