Poonch, Feb 15: Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday called for unity between the Pahari and Gujjar communities and urged both groups to stand together and resist any attempts by political parties to sow division among them.
Addressing a public meeting in Mendhar, Azad said that unity is crucial for the region’s progress and development. He extended his greetings to the Pahari community for obtaining ST status. He underscored the significance of preserving the ST quota for the Gujjar community, emphasizing its role in their empowerment and socio-economic upliftment.
The former chief minister criticized the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for their “opportunistic alliances” and “power-driven” politics. He highlighted instances where both parties collaborated with the BJP for political gains. Azad pointed out that while leaders like Omar Abdullah held ministerial positions in BJP-led governments, he was not offered such positions.
Expressing concern over potential future alliances between NC and BJP, Azad warned against their power-hungry motives. He reaffirmed his commitment to fostering development, peace, and prosperity in the region.
The DPAP chief advocated for the reinstatement of schemes like the Roshni Scheme to address land ownership issues and combat corruption effectively. He pledged to work tirelessly to eradicate corruption and promote transparency in governance, with a focus on improving the socio-economic landscape and creating opportunities for all.
The meeting saw the presence of several party members, including Vice Chairman Mr. GM Saroori, General Secretary RS Chib, General Secretary Anita Thakur, Chief Spokesperson Ch Imran Zafar, State Secretary Riyaz Naz, Adv Masood Choudhary WC Member, Salman Nizami, State Secretary Sunita Arora, Zonal President Zahid Malik, Ishfaq Mirza, and others.
