J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Poor response to boycott call not a setback: Bhat
Jammu, April 26
While admitting that voters in the four constituencies, Bhaderwah, Sangrama, Rafiabad and Pattan where the bypoll was held on April 24, did not respond to the boycott call given by some separatist leaders, yet the APHC leadership is not prepared to accept that peoples' attitude was a setback to them.

Offices of profit: names of J&K MLAs excluded
Jammu, April 26
The names of the four MLAs of Jammu and Kashmir, who held offices of profit, are not included in the list that has been put on its website by the election commission.

Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Political Movement submit a memorandum to the United Nations after holding a demonstration against the state government for giving Gulmarg and Pahalgam on lease to private companies and also harassment and killing by security forces in Kashmir, in Srinagar on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Amin War

Poor response to boycott call not a setback: Bhat
Our Correspondent

Jammu, April 26
While admitting that voters in the four constituencies, Bhaderwah, Sangrama, Rafiabad and Pattan where the bypoll was held on April 24, did not respond to the boycott call given by some separatist leaders, yet the APHC leadership is not prepared to accept that peoples' attitude was a setback to them.

A senior APHC leader and a member of the executive committee of the conglomerate, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, said today "for us election is no issue" adding the poll in Kashmir were never an issue even in the Security Council.

He said "despite several Assembly elections held in Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan fought three wars because of the Kashmir problem."

When asked whether the separatists no longer represented the people of Kashmir, as was indicated by the heavy turnout of voters in the four constituencies, Professor Bhat said "we represent the aspirations of people of the state. If anyone doubts our claim, let a referendum be held in Kashmir for determining the wishes of the people. As far as the Kashmir issue is concerned and not for the formation of the government."

The APHC leader said "we do not represent people as far as their problems, pertaining to unemployment, road construction, drinking water supply system etc are concerned. We represent their sentiments and it is in this context we seek a peaceful settlement of the issue, which can satisfy the aspirations of people of Kashmir."

In reply to another question, Professor Bhat said "The question of our participation in the second Round Table Conference will be discussed by the party's executive committee. He said, "We have been demanding resumption of the Hurriyat-Prime Minister dialogue because these talks should not remain an unfinished agenda."

He reiterated that, "We are not against the concept of a Round Table Conference, but we would like to cooperate with the Government of India if we are invited by the Prime Minister separately. We do not want to board a crowded bus going no where. We want the dialogue to be held with the people who are relevant to the Kashmir problem."

Offices of profit: names of J&K MLAs excluded
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 26
The names of the four MLAs of Jammu and Kashmir, who held offices of profit, are not included in the list that has been put on its website by the election commission.

These four legislators headed various boards and corporations of the government till last month when they resigned following the controversy on the issue in various parts of the country as well as the national level.

The names of the four legislators, Mr G.M. Saroori, Mr Girdhari Lal, Mohammad Shaffi Bhat and Haji Abdul Rashid, do not figure in the website of the Election Commission.

The names of the 12 MLAs of Himachal Pradesh, who had resigned from the posts of Chief Parliamentary Secretary and Parliamentary Secretary, figure first of all in the list. This is followed by the lists of several other states, including Punjab, Uttaranchal and Delhi, but the name of Jammu and Kashmir does not appear.

Reference regarding the legislators holding offices of profit in various states was made to the Election Commission by the President and also the Governors of the respective states.