Syed Nazir Ahmad Kashani was Monday elected as the new amir (chief) of the Jamaat-e-Islami.
Kashani is a known moderate but enjoys the confidence of Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
The election was considered a referendum on the hard stance taken by Geelani on efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue.
While opinion among separatists is veering around to holding talks with the Centre, Geelani insists that Pakistan be made a party to any talks on Kashmir.