Firebrand Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Friday sought the support of his party in forming an alternative to the All Party Hurriyat Conference.
"The need of the hour is to form a party based on Jamaat-e-Islami cadres to take the Kashmir issue to its destined resolution," Geelani said addressing his first public meeting since his release from a Ranchi jail in February.
Those who really wanted a resolution of the Kashmir issue could be inducted into the new party, he said in Sopore.
Referring to the June 28 meeting of second rung Hurriyat leaders at his residence, he said two proposals -- to either float a forum or restructure the Hurriyat -- were put forth during the discussions.
"The Hurriyat's performance has been disappointing regarding the last year's assembly election."
The Jamaat leader also asked the Hurriyat to expel the People's Conference, founded by the slain Abdul Gani Lone.
"The APHC has miserably failed so far and that is why I have decided not to attend the executive meetings of the Hurriyat till action is taken against the People's Conference for fielding dummy candidates in last year's elections," he told the crowd, which repeatedly shouted pro-freedom slogans.
"One of their members has been elected and is even a part of the government machinery.
"I have met senior leaders and we have decided to either strengthen the Hurriyat Conference or else work for an alternative so that the blood of freedom fighters and one lakh Kashmiris does not go waste."
Geelani said the Kashmir issue could be resolved only through United Nations resolutions.
With Inputs from Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar
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