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Second-in-command Sehrai likely to succeed Hurriyat chief Geelani
Syed Ali Geelani, chairperson of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, may be succeeded by close aide Mohammad Ashraf Khan.
Syed Ali Geelani, chairperson of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, on Monday said that his party had already chosen a successor, who would be named after his death.
The Hurriyat patriarch is likely to be succeeded by close aide Mohammad Ashraf Khan, popularly known as Ashraf Sehrai, as chairperson, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH), Jammu and Kashmir.
“We don’t want to comment on who will succeed Geelani sahib. Sehrai sahib is second-in-command and it is Geelani sahib’s wish that he should take over the party after him. He has been leading the party in Geelani sahib’s absence,” said party spokesperson Ayaz Akbar.
Geelani and his lifetime associate Sehrai had formed TeH in 2004. Both leaders were part of the religious-political organisation, Jamiat-e-Islami.
Akbar also dismissed rumours that Geelani’s oldest son might lead the party. “It’s a democratic party and there is no question of the son succeeding the father,” he said. “Besides they are also not interested.”
Earlier, choosing not to respond to a question about his successor, Geelani had said,“There is a set-up and the party know it very well what do after I am not around.”
