Separatist Leader Syed Salim Geelani Joins PDP in Srinagar

Separatist leader and Hurriyat member Syed Salim Geelani joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday. The announcement was made at the PDP office in Srinagar in the presence of party president Mehbooba Mufti.

Speaking to reporters after his induction, Geelani said, “PDP is a party which talks about democratic rights, human rights, and political rights of people. It talks about a political solution to the Kashmir problem… So I felt it is the right party to join.”

Geelani’s move to join the PDP is seen as a strategic step ahead of the upcoming elections, with the party seeking to strengthen its position in the region. His decision to join the PDP, which advocates for dialogue and democratic rights, could potentially shift the political landscape in Kashmir.

Party president Mehbooba Mufti welcomed Geelani into the party fold, expressing hope that his inclusion would bolster the PDP’s efforts to work towards a peaceful and democratic resolution of the Kashmir issue. The move comes at a time when the political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir is evolving rapidly, with parties realigning their strategies to address the region’s complex issues.

Geelani’s entry into mainstream politics through the PDP is expected to draw varied reactions from different political factions and observers in the region.