Ganderbal, May 11: Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday reiterated his stance on Article 370, criticising those who now speak out but remained silent when he raised the issue in Parliament.
Talking to the media persons during a roadshow to support his Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency Candidate Amir Bhat, Azad reflected on his tenure as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized the substantial developments he brought to Ganderbal, including the establishment of a district, college, Ayurvedic hospital, and district hospital.
“I have left around no corner of Jammu and Kashmir undeveloped,” Azad affirmed, underscoring his commitment to progress throughout the region.
He highlighted the disparity in parliamentary discussions, noting the sudden interest in Article 370 compared to the silence he faced previously on the matter.
The DPAP chief acknowledged that the ongoing elections are challenges, expressing his party’s dedication to fostering development and addressing pressing issues like unemployment.
Currently, there are two parties in Parliament: national parties vying to form the government, and in Jammu and Kashmir, regional parties are advocating for the restoration of Article 370, statehood, preservation of 35A, tackling unemployment, and various developmental projects.
Azad denounced any political discourse that targets religious communities and emphasised the importance of inclusive and respectful political dialogue within India’s diverse society.
Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by the DPAP, Azad vehemently denounced the National Conference leaders, asserting his commitment to serving the people without seeking favours from any quarters.
Addressing the accusations of affiliation with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the former CM said that those who hurl such accusations should introspect, as they themselves have a history of association with BJP. He urged them to scrutinize their own backgrounds, highlighting their past alliances with the BJP while paradoxically claiming to be its critics.
The DPAP chief questioned the track record of NC leaders in Ganderbal, noting the district’s rejection of their leadership. “Despite being entrusted with the responsibility, they failed to deliver tangible benefits to the people,” he said.
“It was me who gave district status to Ganderbal; NC leaders only fooled people with the slogans of autonomy. I swear on God I have not taken any favour or money from the present government. In fact, I didn’t do any scams and looted people. My track record is clear; no one can accuse me of corruption or any other wrongdoing. I work on merit, and if people support me, I will show them results in just six months.”
Azad also criticised the misuse of draconian laws like the Public Safety Act (PSA) by certain parties, highlighting their track record of injustice and oppression. He urged the public to reject such practices and reiterated his commitment to ensuring that no innocent individual is unfairly treated or detained without proper evidence.
