Srinagar: Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq today ruled out taking part in electoral politics of Jammu and Kashmir but maintained that the separatist leaders cannot turn a blind eye to day-to-day problems of the people in the state.
"The current phase (in Kashmir`s history) is related to deciding the future (of the state) and not gaining power. We want to reiterate our stand that no electoral exercise or formation of government can change the disputed nature of the (Kashmir) issue," the Mirwaiz said at a Friday congregation at the historic Jamia Masjid here.
Apparently referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah`s statement, the Hurriyat chairman said, "Hurriyat has already rejected (participating in) electoral politics pending resolution of Kashmir issue."
Addressing a public meeting at Tral in south Kashmir yesterday, Omar had said the separatists have not been able to achieve anything for the people of the state and asked them to become a part of the system.
He had chided the separatists for talking about development issues while holding parleys with Pakistani officials.
The Mirwaiz said the "freedom loving leadership of Kashmiris have stuck to their stand like a rock since 1931 and the entire world community is supporting their stand.
"Those who have entered into accords and were claiming Kashmir as an integral part of India should understand that despite their political gimmickry, Kashmir is a live issue and cannot be solved (by India and Pakistan) bilaterally.
"Our stand is quite clear that the issue will be resolved either by implementation of UN resolutions or through meaningful dialogue among all the three concerned parties - India, Pakistan and Kashmir," the Hurriyat chairman said.
Without naming ruling National Conference, he said, "...They are talking of resolution of Kashmir issue only to safeguard their interests. This way they are not deceiving the people but themselves," the Mirwaiz said.
He accused the state government of being neck-deep in corruption, alleging that most of the government departments had turned into the dens of corruption.
