Jammu, Mar 26: Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) vice chairman and its Lok Sabha candidate from Udhampur-Doda constituency G M Saroori Tuesday filed nomination papers in the presence of party supremo and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.
While speaking to the media persons after filing nomination, Saroori said that as an MP, his priority would be to address problems of unemployed youth of J&K, besides redressing grievances of people related to basic amenities, with focus on development and rights of citizens.
Later, Azad, Saroori and other party leaders addressed a big rally of party workers in Kathua.
In his address, Azad asked people to support those candidates and parties giving precedence to J&K issues; talking of development and defeat those creating divisions in the name of religion. He underscored the pivotal role of an effective campaign in ensuring the success of the party candidate Saroori. Former Chief Minister emphasized the need for unity and brotherhood among people, urging voters to support development and progress.
He said, “When an injured person goes to the hospital for blood, doctors don’t see his or her religion. Then why do we see religion in politics? We must vote for the candidate, who will raise public issues in Parliament.”
Azad stressed the necessity of defeating those entities that seek to divide people along religious lines, as well as political parties that failed to address the issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir. He also promised against religious discrimination in his government. Azad pointed out that in Parliament, both regional parties and the Congress remained silent on J&K matters.
He said that it was during his tenure as Leader of the Opposition that he vocally advocated for the concerns of the people. He made a firm commitment to enact laws guaranteeing land and job protection for the J&K residents if he assumed power. He cited the historical context, mentioning that Maharaja Hari Singh had introduced laws prohibiting outsiders from purchasing land or obtaining employment in the region.
He said, “Maharaja Hari Singh was a visionary leader who deeply cared for his people and instituted the state subject law along with land and job protection. Today, even low-level employees are being hired from outside, while our local youth are left unemployed. We fought for statehood in Parliament and we must persist in our efforts until we achieve it.”
DPAP candidate Saroori stressed the importance of choosing an MP, committed to progress and promised to fight for the people’s interests. He stated, “My track record is clear. As a three-time MLA, I have consistently served the people and fought for their interests. I promise to address public issues in Parliament. The current MP is disconnected from the people, but I will work tirelessly for the welfare of the people.”
He said, “We need to continue the work in the same manner as Azad did as the Chief Minister and Union Minister. The focus should be on building more schools, colleges, universities, roads, and other infrastructure.”
“Azad’s focus was on development. He constructed roads and also got compensation of Rs 1300 Cr for people, whose land was taken. During his two and a half year tenure, he (Azad) had initiated the process for recruitment (of providing 70000 jobs), but PDP withdrew support and the whole of J&K and its citizens, mainly youth, incurred heavy loss. Many of those unemployed youth became victims of drug menace. As an MP, I’ll focus on resolving their issues on priority,” he said.
Among others, who were present on the occasion, were R S Chib general secretary; Jugal Kishore Sharma provincial president; Majeed Wani general secretary; Anita Thakur general secretary; Vinod Mishra general secretary; Chowdhary Haroon Khatana general secretary; Salman Nizami chief spokesperson; Chowdhary Gharu Ram zonal president; Ashok Sharma vice president province; Gh Hyder Malik; Subash Gupta and others.