Srinagar, (CNI) DPAP founder Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said that he has decided to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir and the land and rights of its people. Let’s continue our fight to protect employment rights.
Azad, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) announced on Tuesday.
Azad quit the Congress in 2022, ending his five-decade association with the party, and founded the DPAP.
“There are speculations that statehood will be restored in Jammu and Kashmir but on the lines of Delhi and Puducherry where the LG has to approve every decision of the Chief Minister and his government.
This is not acceptable to Ghulam Nabi Azad. Perhaps, it will not be acceptable to any Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Gujjar or Pahari of Jammu and Kashmir,” Azad told reporters here.
Azad said that though he had several reasons for contesting the Lok Sabha elections, protecting the jobs and lands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir was his top priority.
“To do this we need full statehood because then the assembly can pass laws that will preserve jobs only for the people of the state while outsiders cannot buy land here,” he said.
Azad said he would use his 40 years of experience and influence as a Member of Parliament to get full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
“I have fought for the people of the country in the Rajya Sabha whether it was a Congress government or a BJP government. I think another fight is needed in the Lok Sabha,” Azad said.
The DPAP leader said that he struggled for a month after the abrogation of Article 370.
The result was that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah agreed to restore statehood. I think this fight has not been taken to a logical conclusion,” he added.
Responding to National Conference leader Omar Abdullah expressing surprise at Azad’s choice of constituency, the veteran politician said, “This is my state. It would be wrong for someone to say you are an outsider… We all are. Indians.” “I fought my first election from Maharashtra, second and third elections from Maharashtra too… Umar was probably in school then.
“Here (J&K) we are talking about adjoining districts. I don’t come in anyone’s way. I have a political vision, I have a political cause to fight for. If anyone has problems because of that, I What can I do?” They said.
On allegations that he could join hands with any party, including the BJP, Azad said, “Those who want to become slaves (of people) are seeking asylum.” I am the slave of the Prophet, I do not need to go with anyone. (CNI)
