STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Former Dy Chief Minister J&K Tara Chand, after resigning from Democratic Azad Party, on Wednesday held first public meeting in Khour constituency to discuss future course of action including whether to form new political party or to join secular forces .
Addressing a public gathering, Tara Chand admitted a large number of people belonging to different political and social organisation have approached him to support his decision and whatever decision to be taken by him for overall development of the Jammu and Kashmir. Tara Chand expressed his concern over the unemployment faced by youth, steep rise in prices of essential commodities and day today problems of the people, after the J&K state was brought down to the status a Union Territory. He said that he along with his colleagues are fully committed to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Chand, however, said they will remain secular till their last breath and would continue to serve people of J&K. “Many more leaders from J&K including former ministers and legislators from DAP and others are joining our group to strengthen the secular vote bank and work for the restoration of the people’s rights including the special status under Article 370 of the Constitution and statehood,” he said adding, “Restoration of pre-August 5, 2019 status to Jammu and Kashmir is the popular demand of the people from both the regions of Jammu and Kashmir.”.
He said a “big leader” is saying that it cannot be restored but “we want to tell him that nothing is impossible. It is the popular demand of both the regions and we appeal to the Prime Minister to accept this demand and restore our identity. He is the Prime Minister of the whole country and should hear the voices from J&K.”
He asked Prime Minister to have a referendum on restoration of Article 370 and 35A and 99.5 percent will raise their hand in its favour and even supporter of BJP also want its restoration but due to party pressure not supporting it publically. Chand said he had enjoyed good friendly relations with all parties as he did not consider any party “untouchable”.
“We are secular and will die as a secular,” he said.
Chand further said that “The leaders inclined towards BJP or Congress or any other party should join any of these parties without hoodwinking the public. We have leaders here who are misleading the public and are dividing the secular votes to benefit one particular party,” he said.”We will not betray the public and we won’t play as an ‘A’ or ‘B’ team of any party. We will meet the public and after their consultation, will join a party which is secular and going to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Prominent among those present on the occasion include Thakur Balwan Singh ex MLA, Shamsher Singh Chib, Bansi lal Sharma, Madan Lal Sharma, Santosh Manhas, Asha Chandan, Shashi Sharma, Rajani Sharma, Chander Prabha, Jagattar Singh Manhas, Kali Das, Omprakash Sharma, Jagdish Raj Sharma, Dwarka Nath Sharma, Hansraj Bhagat, Vipin Lachotra, Deep Bhagat, Avtar Singh Ex Sarpanch, Bachan Singh, Bachanlal, Tarsem Singh, Rajkumar Sharma, Davinder Singh Chib, Baldevraj Sharma, Anudeep Sharma, Panches and Sarpanches.