DPAP names G M Saroori as its candidate for Udhampur-Doda LS seat

STATE TIMES NEWS

BUDGAM: The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) headed by Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday announced G M Saroori as its candidate for Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming general polls.
The announcement was made at a public rally addressed by Azad at Chrar-e-Shareef in Budgam district of central Kashmir.

“For Udhampur-Doda, it is my intention and I will discuss it with others that G M Saroori will contest. He is the most senior leader and four-time MLA and vice chairperson of our party. I think I am active, but he is more active than me. He is the appropriate candidate. We have not yet taken a final decision, but we have zeroed in on the name,” Azad told reporters after the rally. The DPAP also announced Saroori’s name in a statement and on the party’s X handle.
“DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad has announced G.M. Saroori as the candidate for Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency in the Lok Sabha elections,” the party said.
Describing Saroori as the epitome of leadership and dedication, Azad hailed him as the ‘right choice’ to represent the aspirations of the people in the Udhampur-Doda region.
“I am confident that under the dynamic leadership of G.M. Saroori, the Udhampur-Doda constituency will witness unparalleled progress and development. His unwavering commitment to public service makes him the ideal candidate to champion the cause of the people.
Azad said the party has not taken a final decision on fielding candidates on other constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.
To a question on why the party was not announcing the candidates, Azad said it will not make much difference even if the party makes the announcement at the eleventh hour.
“Some habits of the Congress party are still with me like announcing the candidature at the last moment. However, it will not make a much difference because I have been visiting every area. Even if the candidate comes at the eleventh hour, it will not make much of a difference,” Azad said.
“I have addressed around 650 public meetings in the last one-and-a-half years. So, I have created a level-playing field for my colleagues and some of them will contest,” he added.
Taking a dig at his former party, Azad said there is no work culture in the Congress. “Every day some MLAs or MPs are leaving the party, which means the leadership has failed to provide leadership to its people. I parted ways and formed my own party and have tried to fill whatever deficiencies were there (in the Congress). There was no work culture and respect. They take the names of junior leaders first at any function and senior leaders at the last,” he said. Asked about his earlier statement that his party would enact a law to safeguard land and job rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the former chief minister said the assembly has the right to make such a law.
“We will do it if we come to power. It does not matter which name is given to it, what matters is that it is done,” he added.
During his address to the rally, Azad expressed grave concern over the troubling trend of arbitrary detentions, highlighting the plight of countless young individuals ensnared in the web of unjust imprisonment. He emphasized that if there are no serious charges against these youth, the government should expedite their release, allowing them to reintegrate into society and contribute meaningfully to the mainstream. Azad lamented the historical exploitation of Kashmiris by other political parties, emphasizing the urgent need for a paradigm shift towards a future anchored in prosperity and harmony.
He cautioned against placing blind faith in empty slogans, urging voters to instead focus on tangible outcomes that directly impact their lives. Azad underscored the transformative impact of his previous initiatives, including the establishment of colleges, the creation of the renowned Tulip Garden, the construction of the Hajj House, and the expansion of the education and road infrastructure throughout the region. “I have always been steadfast in my dedication to the development of Kashmir,” Azad said.
Azad declared, “If you choose to entrust my party with your vote, we will continue our relentless pursuit of progress and prosperity for Kashmir. We will build upon our past achievements and embark on new endeavors to uplift every corner of this beautiful land.
Among others present on the occasion were Salman Nizami Chief Spokesperson DPAP, Er Nazir Yatoo Gen Secretary Province, Haji Musadiq GS, Shafiq Shabnam GS, Peer Bilal Zonal President, G.N.Parwana Distt President, Secretary Arif Maqbool, Shujada Bashir Spokesperson, Bilal Khan, Jin Kaiser, Amir Bhatt and others.