PDP accepts Rashid’s demand for return of Afzal remains

Tribune News Service

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Jammu, March 2

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today succumbed to the pressure of an Independent MLA from Langate Engineer Abdul Rashid and accepted his demand for return of mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru.

The PDP promised to vigorously pursue the return of Afzal’s mortal remains.

The ruling party did this to get Rashid’s vote for the Legislative Council elections to ensure the victory of their candidate but all its efforts went into vain as one of its candidates lost due to cross-voting.

Earlier in the day, a group of PDP legislators comprising Mohammad Khalil Bandh, Zahoor Ahmed Mir, Raja Manzoor Ahmad, Muhammad Abas Wani, Yawar Dilawar Mir, advocate Muhammad Yosuf, Aijaz Ahmad Mir and Noor Muhammad Sheikh met Rashid and issued a statement justifying his demand.

“The PDP has always maintained that Afzal Guru’s hanging was a travesty of justice and constitutional requirements and the process was not followed in hanging him out of turn. The way he was picked up from serial number 28 and singled out has been condemned by the PDP. The party stands by the demand for the return of his mortal remains and promises to follow vigorously the return of his mortal remains,” the PDP legislators said.

“We believe that the resolution brought by Rashid to seek clemency for Afzal Guru was justified and should have been adopted by the House at that time,” the PDP legislators added.

PDP’s rediscovered love for Afzal cynical: Omar

Srinagar: Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday lambasted the PDP for demanding the remains of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. “The PDP’s rediscovered love for Afzal Guru's remains is nothing but a cynical attempt to buy Engineer Rashid's crucial vote for the MLC elections,” said Omar on Twitter. Omar said if the PDP had “truly believed” in working for bringing back Afzal’s  remains, it would have “fought to include” the demand in the common minimum programme of the 

PDP-BJP coalition government. The former Chief Minister said: “My stand is on record in the PMO. I see no reason to reiterate it now or at any point in the future.” — TNS