Ghulam Nabi Azad Denies Interest in Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Post, Stresses Commitment to Public Service
Azad Dispels Rumors, Clarifies He's Not Pursuing Lieutenant Governor Position in Jammu and Kashmir
01-10-2023 : Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has categorically denied any interest in becoming the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, dispelling what he calls “rumours” surrounding the matter. The veteran politician stressed that he is not seeking employment but rather aims to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a rally to commemorate the foundation day of his Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), formed after parting ways with the Congress last year, Azad urged the public not to be swayed by the rumor mill.
He refuted the claims that he was seeking rehabilitation and clarified his intentions by pointing to his past record. Azad mentioned his tenure as the chief minister in 2005, during which he relinquished two prestigious Union ministries, Housing and Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs, to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Azad identified unemployment and inflation as the two primary challenges facing the region. He emphasized his commitment to addressing these issues by tapping into the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir.
He underscored the importance of tourism as a means of providing livelihoods for people from various sections of society. Azad had previously envisioned developing 10 to 12 tourist destinations in each district of the region, providing loans for homestay facilities to create earning opportunities for locals.
Regarding the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A by the Central government in 2019, Azad described it as a “great mistake” that exacerbated the state’s challenges. He highlighted the historical context of these articles and expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding land ownership in the region following their removal.
Azad urged party leaders to refrain from personal attacks against their opponents and criticized political fraud within the system. He also called for the death penalty for individuals involved in running drug cartels in Jammu and Kashmir, citing the alarming rise of drug abuse as a significant problem in the region.
