Srinagar: The Hurriyat Conference faction led by Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari today (Nov 11) got a major morale booster, when Anjuman-e-Shar-e-Shian (ASS) vice president Aga Abdul Hussain broke away from the Syed Ali Shah Geelani-led faction.

"Right from the beginning I have been recognising Ansari-led faction as the real Hurriyat. Geelani's relevance in Hurriyat was over when his parent body Jamaat-e-Islami recalled him from the executive council," Hussain said in a statement in Srinagar effecting a virtual split in the largest Shi'ite organisation of the State.

Making a scathing attack against Geelani, Hussain said the ageing separatist leader rose in the political horizon of Kashmir due to Jamaat backing. But whenever he was required to lead he failed, he added.

In an oblique to reference to Geelani's supporters, which include his elder brother and ASS president Aga Syed Hassan, he said some people have come under the influence of Geelani who, he said, had dealt a severe blow to the freedom movement by playing divisive politics.

"Based on consultations with scholars, elders and youth of the Anjuman, we have decided to lend our support to Ansari-led Hurriyat, he added.

PTI