Moderate separatist and Valley's head priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday rejected an alliance with any mainstream political party, including the ruling National Conference.
Speaking to the Hindustan Times a few hours after he publicly denounced the suggestions of a pact between him and the state chief minister Omar Abdullah, "There is no common ground between us, be it ruling National Conference or any other mainstream political parties. We are fighting for freedom of Kashmir and will continue to do that," said Mirwaiz Farooq.
"I wonder why are they all of a sudden considering Mirwaiz Farooq important!" he added.
The Mirwaiz was reacting to recent statements by National Conference leaders suggesting an alliance between the separatist leader and National Conference on the lines of historic "double Farooq accord". The accord in 1983 was to end skirmishes between followers of the National Conference headed by Farooq Abdullah and followers of Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq.
The ruling party has for the past one week dropping hints about a pre-poll alliance with the moderate separatist leader. Senior National Conference leader Ali Mohammad Sagar had for the first time since assassination of the Mirwaiz Farooq paid tribute to the leader. "We will offer fateh (special prayers for the departed soul) at the party headquarters for the elder Mirwaiz." he had said on May 20, a day before his death anniversay.
Hurriyat chairman's father Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq was assassinated on May 21, 1990 in Srinagar.
{{/usCountry}}Hurriyat chairman's father Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq was assassinated on May 21, 1990 in Srinagar.
{{/usCountry}}The statement was followed by tributes from CHief Minister uncle and party leader Mustafa Kamal.
Even the chief minister had not ruled out the possibility.
Answering a question on the possibility of getting together with the separatist, leader Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on thursday said coming together with National Conference was for Mirwaiz to decide. ``There is a historic predence that double Farooq accord did take place," said Abdullah on the sidelines of a function.