SRINAGAR – Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai was on Monday appointed the new chairmanof Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, the separatist organisation found by Syed Ali ShahGeelani. Geelani, however, would continue to be the chairman of theseparatist conglomerate Hurriyat Conference.
The decision to replace Geelani with Sehrai, who is his old-time friend andassociate, was taken after an executive meet of the organisation
Geelani and Sehrai were among the founding members of theTehreek-e-Hurriyat when it was formed in 2005 after Geelani had a rift withJamat-e-Islami, it’s parent organisation.
Sehrai, then a member of Jamat, was instrumental in the formation ofthe new separatist outfit, say sources. Sehrai parted ways with the Jamatmore than a decade ago.
Sehrai, who was until now the general secretary of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, wastipped to be the first choice to replace Geelani.
In fact, three years ago, Geelani had decided to nominate him as hissuccessor in the Hurriyat but the announcement was halted at the lastmoment after some members questioned Geelani making a nomination whenorganisation had an election system.