Ali Asad
Srinagar, Mar 11: At a public meeting in Anantnag on Monday, Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad castigated leaders who he accused of deceiving the people of Jammu and Kashmir with false promises of Azaadi and autonomy over the past 75 years.
Azad emphasized that every party, whether national or regional, has had the opportunity to govern in Jammu and Kashmir, providing the people with a choice in selecting a government that works for their interests. He condemned the leaders who, he claimed, had exploited the aspirations of Kashmiris for their own political gains.
In a direct attack on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Azad refuted accusations of being the B team of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting that those leveling such accusations had themselves collaborated with the BJP in the past. He highlighted instances of leaders beginning their political careers as ministers in BJP governments.
Azad also expressed skepticism about the potential impact of the Modi wave in Jammu and Kashmir, citing the region’s distinct cultural identity. “It is difficult to say whether the Modi wave will have any impact in Jammu and Kashmir or not. Jammu and Kashmir is different from other states of India. Due to its mixed culture, it is difficult to say who will influence Jammu and Kashmir,” Azad said.
He noted the complexity of the political landscape in the state and the difficulty in predicting which influences would resonate with its diverse population.
Regarding the recent entry of Arun Goyal, a former Election Commissioner, into politics, Azad downplayed concerns about its adverse effects. He stated that while it may be unusual for an Election Commissioner to resign and join politics, it is not unprecedented in India. Azad reassured the gathering that such transitions have occurred before and should not be cause for alarm.
