New leader for Kashmir ruling party

Omar Abdullah was elected unopposed

By Altaf Hussain BBC correspondent in Srinagar

Thousands of people in Indian-administered Kashmir have turned out to watch Indian junior foreign minister, Omar Abdullah, take over the presidency of the ruling National Conference party from his father.

A grenade attack did not disturb the rally

It was the first such rally held by the National Conference in the capital Srinagar since the outbreak of separatist violence 12 years ago.

The state's Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah handed over the presidency by taking his cap off and placing it on his only son's head.

At the rally, Mr Abdullah said he would soon also pass the mantle of chief minister to Omar, who was elected to the party presidency unopposed.

Despite tight security, militants managed to fire two rifle grenades in an abortive attempt to disrupt the proceedings, but no one was injured.

Militant attack

Party workers from the state's three regions, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, attended the ceremony, which police said was undisturbed by the grenade attack.

Kashmir remains an explosive region

The devices landed several hundred metres from the open air meeting ground where the rally was being held.

A newly-formed militant group, the Al-Madina Regiment, later said it carried out the attack.

Omar Abdullah, who is just 30 years old, told the rally he would be happy to face separatist groups in the forthcoming elections to the state assembly, due in October.

But in a departure from the party's earlier stand, Omar said he would also welcome a dialogue between the Indian Government and separatist leaders.

He said none of the separatist leaders had any following among the people.

Criticism

Omar Abdullah also said he opposed the Indian Government's proposal to impose governor's rule in the state ahead of the assembly elections.

He pledged to work for the restoration of the state's autonomy within the Indian union, adding that autonomy was an emotional issue for the people of Kashmir.

The new party president also said he believed the Indian government had let down his father by not making him the ruling coalition's candidate for the vice president of India.

In his speech, Farooq Abdullah - who was himself declared chief minister by his own father 20 years ago - also criticised the Indian Government.

He said Delhi had mobilised troops on the borders with Pakistan but had not summoned up enough courage to wage a war.