It will be easier for people of J&K to elect Govt that will work for them: Azad
STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: It will be easier for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to elect a government that will work for them as all regional and national parties have had a chance to govern the region, DPAP Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Sunday.
“Every party — be it a national or a regional party — has had a chance to govern Jammu and Kashmir. That makes it easier now for the people to elect a government that will work for them,” Azad, a former Chief Minister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State, told reporters.
On charges levelled against the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) that it is a “B Team” of the BJP, Azad said his detractors have associated with the saffron party in the past.
“Those who call us the BJP’s ‘B Team’ were with them, they were ‘A Teams’ of the BJP. One leader had even begun his political career as a minister in a BJP government,” Azad said.
“I was neither in the BJP as a minister or a Chief Minister, nor was I helped by the BJP,” he added, referring to past alliances between the BJP and the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party.
The former Congress leader also said it is difficult to say if the Modi wave will have any impact in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Jammu and Kashmir is different from other states of India. It is difficult to say whose impact would be on Jammu and Kashmir due to its composite culture,” he said.
Azad also does not think there will be any adverse impact if Arun Goel, who resigned as an election commissioner on Saturday, joined politics.
“This is not the first time that any officer in India has resigned but it may be new for the Election Commission. A lot of senior officers have resigned from their posts to join politics. I don’t think it will have any adverse impact on the politics of the country or the workings of the Election Commission,” he added.
Earlier, addressing a public meeting at Kokernag, Azad referred to the exploitation of Kashmiris by regional parties over the years, particularly by raising slogans advocating autonomy and self-rule.
He said while the MPs of these regional parties remained silent on the matter, he actively protested in Parliament against revocation of Article 370.
“Why do NC and PDP no longer raise these slogans? They fooled the people, enjoyed power, and caused deaths of innocent people.”
He reiterated his commitment to championing the cause of people and ensuring their voices are heard on the national level.
He stressed the need for unity, cautioning that these parties may ally with anyone for power but will not do justice to the people. They will only use and exploit the voters, he added.
Azad revealed a personal connection, with South Kashmir, saying, “My grandfather was originally from Kokernag. We moved to Doda, but there’s a special connection between us. Let us rebuild that relationship. Anantnag has always been in my heart. I have established a medical college, degree college, hospitals, and schools here. I want to do even more for this district, especially for Kokernag. Give me a chance to serve”.
Azad further stressed the urgency of tackling unemployment, promising to address the issue once elected to power. He emphasized the importance of providing loans to those who are not highly educated, enabling them to start businesses and earn a livelihood. He highlighted the untapped potential of tourism that needs to be boosted, expressing regret over not being able to complete his term as CM.
He remarked that if given the chance, he would have sanctioned more tourism projects to harness this potential. He promised to provide free electricity for the poor and pledged to focus on building roads, hospitals, and furthering development in triple shifts.
He expressed concern over the burden of electricity bills on the people, especially the poor, and appealed to the government to reduce the bills for those in need.
Among others present on the occasion were G.M.Saroori Vice Chairman, Ch Haroon Khatana Gen Secretary, Salman Nizami Chief Spokesperson, Adv Saleem Parray Official spokesperson, Zamir Ahmed Distt President, Shahida Begum DDC and others.
