Poonch, 15-02-2024: In a scathing critique directed at the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ghulam Nabi Azad, the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, lambasted both parties for placing power above the welfare of the public. Azad, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, also aimed Pakistan for its frequent ceasefire violations along the borders, promising border residents that his party would allocate government land measuring five marlas (approximately 126 square meters) for their safety once in power.
Speaking at a public gathering in Mendhar, Poonch district, Azad pledged to provide border residents, spanning from Poonch to Kathua, with land for constructing houses in safer locations to facilitate their relocation during tense situations, such as firing incidents.
Azad further criticized the NC and the PDP for their history of opportunistic alliances driven by a hunger for power. He highlighted instances where these parties collaborated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to secure political dominance, including during the tenure of former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee. Despite not holding ministerial positions within the BJP, Azad pointed out that leaders like NC’s vice president, Omar Abdullah, were afforded such roles.
Noting that the PDP also formed a coalition government with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir following the previous Assembly elections, Azad underscored the parties’ tendency to prioritize power over the interests of the people. He warned against potential future alliances between the NC and the BJP, emphasizing his party’s commitment to the region’s development, peace, and prosperity.
Azad stressed the importance of unity among the Pahari and Gujjar communities, urging them to stand together and resist attempts by political entities to sow division, particularly concerning the issue of scheduled tribe (ST) status. He emphasized that maintaining unity is crucial for the progress and development of the region, commending the Pahari community for securing ST status.