Srinagar: In a significant development, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, a close confidante of Kashmir’s separatist patriarch Syed Ali Shah Geelani, on Monday replaced him as the chief of Tehrik-e-Hurriyat (TeH). TeH, virtually a breakaway wing of the duo’s parent organization Jamaat-e-Islamic, is the dominant constituent of the Hurriyat Conference faction led by octogenarian leader (Geelani). It was launched in 2004 after Geelani reached an “agreement” with the Jamaat. Sources in the TeH said that Geelani offered to step down as its chief due to his falling health. This has set at rest all speculations about his preference on the issue of choosing his successor.

Sections of media had earlier reported that Geelani may pickup his elder son Naeem Geelani, a medical doctor by profession, to lead his party.