UPA presidential hopeful Pranab Mukherjee was on Sunday assured unconditional support by Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling National Conference-Congress alliance and the main Opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), besides smaller supporting groups.
Though controversial Independent MLA Sheikh Abdur Rashid also sought to jump on the bandwagon, he virtually pushed Mr Mukherjee in an awkward situation by publicly asking him to accept Parliament terror attack convict Afzal Guru’s clemency appeal on being elected the 14th President of the country.
The MLA, in a memorandum to Mr Mukherjee, said he welcomed Mr Mukherjee’s Kashmir visit and wished him success in the election but would seize the opportunity to remind him of Guru’s mercy petition pending in Rashtrapati Bhavan for past many years. “Being a seasoned politician of India, having deep knowledge and understanding of issues, I hope your good self is also aware of the sensitivity of the issue in Kashmir,” the memo said, adding: “This state has passed through decades of sufferings and pain, and at this stage the people of the state expect from New Delhi a compassionate approach towards the issues.”
He reiterated his stance that Guru’s hanging will have “disastrous consequences” for the state. “I humbly request your good self that after assuming office of the President of India, which is obvious, the mercy petition of Afzal Guru be accepted. I hope your good self will show your hallmark magnanimity to let the person live with his family,” it said.
This gesture of yours will surely help bridge the gap between New Delhi and Kashmir,” it said.