Srinagar, Dec 30: Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Tuesday said fulfilling election promises will be a test for the new government but added the struggle for "freedom" in the state will continue.
"Those who were elected have made promises to the people who voted. It will be test for the new government to fulfil the promises of providing roads, electricity and drinking water to the people," Geelani said.
Although the separatists have been distancing themselves from the election process, describing these as a "farce", Geelani was the first separatist leader to comment on the challenges ahead of the new government.
Geelani said while people voted for the mainstream politicians on the promises of better civic amenities and jobs, the separatists continue to represent the real sentiment of the people in the state.
"We represent the real sentiment of the people which is azaadi (freedom) from Indian occupation and we will continue our struggle in this regard," he said.
JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, who was recently released from jail after more than two months detention, refused to comment on the elections or the new government. "I will come out with a statement after couple of days," Malik said.
Efforts to contact Chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq did not fructify.
National Conference president Omar Abdullah will head a coalition government with Congress in the state after his name was approved during his meeting with Congress high command in Delhi.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, December 30, 2008, 00:00