Kuka Parray Bids For Tieup With Jamaat-E-Islami

Political circles are attaching much significance to a recent convention held by Awami League chief Kuka Parray. The convention saw Parray sharing the platform with banned political party Jamaat-e-Islami, though Jamaat leaders say their men were forced to come to the convention. Till now, Parray and the Jamaat have been seen opposed to each other, with Jamaat leaders blaming Parray of systematic elimination of their cadres. However, the convention could provide an insight into future events in the Valley, especially during the forthcoming elections.

Parray apologised to Jamaat cadres for having to fight them in the past. This he said: was necessary to wipe out menace of the gun from the Valley. The Awami League supremo extolled the Jamaat to join hands with him to fight their common enemy Farooq Abdullah, who he said, is responsible for bringing militancy into the Valley by not allowing Jamaat to join hands with the Awami League. He said the convention was not an attempt to seek a merger.

 

: You can share my platform and keep your party intact, but please help me fight the curse of a political monopoly in J&K.

Some Jamaat followers also expressed their views on the issue. They wanted an assurance that the invitation was not just another ploy to target the rank and file of their party.

A press release by pro-Pakistan militant group Hizbul Mujahideen later condemned forcible carriage of people to such political tamashas.

However, analysts feel that political exigencies could make strange bedfellows against Farooq Abdullah.