SRINAGAR: A special emissary from the Center is on way to London to persuade Dr. Farooq Abdullah to retum to the country, Efforts to bring Dr. Alxlullah back from London are not in connection with initiating any political process in Kashmir, the Congress plans to use him for wooing the Muslim vote banks in the fourth coming ¢nicial sections in four states, National Conference sources told news persons.
This learned that an adviser to the Govemor, who is considered close to Dr.Abdullah left for Paris via London for a meeting with Dr.Faroog Abdullah last week. However, the sources here wondered whether Dr. Abdullah woukl be able to make it.
Dr. Abdullah reported! Y told them on the telephone from London that he was extremely busy till November and could not imagine of leaving the UK, “Butcan you trust his word? He is famous for changing his stances at the last moment,” commented a senior NC leader.
Dr, Abdullah was reportedly angry over Center: backing out” on the promise of “sky” in lieu of his taking up the political leadership against militants in Kashmir during the teniture of Governor G.C.Saxena, He told his colleagues that he felt betrayed by the Center when it did not ‘offer him the prom: ised package which would have politically rehabilitated him. Dr.Farooq’s sudden retreat from the Kashmir scene after a few days stay with the change of Governor Saxena with Gen, K.V.Krishna Rao had surprized many and particularly his Kashmir colleagues, Some of these leaders had retumed to Srindgar from Jammu and Delhi to participate in the revival of political activity in Kashmir in June. However, only a few continued to remain here while couple of other National Conference leaders had roturned after getting fabulous government allotted accommodations at the Gupkar road. Whilea number of others preferring to stay on are facing acute hostility from the authorities.
National Conference sources. claimed that their party was intact and the moment Dr. Abdullah took a decision to lake onto the militants politically it could be resurrected:
The NC leaders blame the Center for a policy of drift. “Perhaps this Country is not worried about this region to the extent we think,” a former Speaker Wali Mohammad too said. Another leader said, “when the Rajesh Pilots comes here on his much publicized visits, he has time for everyone but the actual pro Indin politicians.” He blamed bureau. crits for misleading him and the Center about the situation in Kashmir.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 8, 1993
