Omar, Farooq differ on Geelani’s importance

JAMMU - Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday admitted that hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani was a “factor” in Kashmir, unlike his father Farooq Abdullah who had dismissed him as of no significance.

“The centre needs time to study what he (Geelani’s conditions for improving the situation and holding dialogue) has said. Give some time to the centre,” Omar Abdullah told media persons here.

“He is a factor,” Omar said, of Geelani.

“Who’s Geelani,” the elder Abdullah said here Saturday, dismissing the separatist leader’s challenge to him to address a rally in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk.

Abdullah, the union new and renewable energy minister, who was on a day’s visit to Jammu, had dismissed the challenge, when he was asked by media persons for his reaction. “Who’s Geelani, what’s his locus standi,” he said.