STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Describing the revocation of Article 370 as a “blunder”, Democratic Progressive Azad Party chief Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday promised a law to provide land and job rights to residents of Jammu and Kashmir if his party comes to power.
Seeking support of the electorate in the next assembly elections, Azad said unifying people and ending discrimination and insecurity will be the top priorities of his government.
“The revocation of Article 370 (in August 2019) was a blunder. If the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) comes to power, we will work towards reinstating job and land rights so that no outsider can purchase land or secure jobs in Jammu and Kashmir,” Azad, a former chief minister of the erstwhile state, said at a public meeting in Paloura.
He emphasised the importance of voting for development and rejecting parties that “sow division in the name of religion”.
Acknowledging the government’s efforts in certain areas, including the restoration of peace to a large extent, Azad said a lot needs to be done for the welfare of all sections of society that have suffered immensely over the past three decades.
“As chief minister for a brief period of two-and-a-half years, I made a lot of effort to improve the living conditions of the people, irrespective of their caste, creed and colour. I never discriminated based on religion,” he said.
Azad highlighted his track record of initiating projects in both the Jammu and the Kashmir regions, underscoring his commitment to equitable development.
The DPAP leader also asserted that after experiencing the performance of various other parties, people should now shift to the DPAP on the basis of his track record.
He also reiterated his commitment to prioritising development and employment generation to bring relief to the people.
Among others present on the occasion included, Vice Chairman GM Saroori, General Secretary RS Chib, Anita Thakur, Provincial President Jugal Kishore Sharma, General Secretary Vinod Mishra, Chief, Spokesperson Salman Nizami, Adv Maheshwar Singh Provincial General Secretary, State Secretary Sunita Arora, Zonal President Choudhary Gharu Ram, Secretary Hira Lal Abrol, Zonal President PR Manhas, Subash Gupta Provincial VP, Ashok Sharma Provincial VP, District President Gourav Chopra, Ashok Bhagat, Sobat Ali, Prabha Salathia, Anoop Khajuria, Vishal Chopra, Prabha Salathia, Kirtan Singh, Fatima Farooq, Sheikh Zafarullah, Kulwant Singh Chib, Rajinder Singh Pinky, Ashutosh Raina, Kamalpreet Singh and Sanjay Manhas.