Gurez, July 24 (KNS): Chairman Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday sought immediate announcement of elections in Jammu and Kashmir as people have been suffering for want of elected representatives in their respective areas.

Addressing a mammoth gathering in this border tehsil on the first day of his three-day tour, Azad said elections are the only panacea for all ills of Jammu and Kashmir as people prefer to get redressal of their woes from their elected representatives who is well equipped with the local aspirations at village or mohalla level. “People are suffering as development in holistic terms has not percolated down to village level in distant border areas where the reach of administration has been minimal over the years. Now, residents yearn for elected representatives for early redressal of basic issues confronting them,” Azad said. Hailing the role of people of Gurez during the peak militancy period of 33 years, Azad said people in border areas are working in tandem with security forces to maintain peace and tranquillity. “Apart from security forces, people of Gurez deserve appreciation for making the border area a peaceful zone where militancy never had any foothold,” he affirmed. Recalling his tenure of two and half years as chief minister, Azad said during this period he never discriminated on religious, caste or regional basis but strived hard to develop Jammu and Kashmir as a model state. “Even though I had a brief period as CM, my focus was only and only development on an impartial basis as I never believed in biased politics or policies. All regions were equally treated in terms of plans and allocations which led to overall growth of Jammu Kashmir,” Azad explained. The former chief minister sought support from people of Gurez on electing DPAP representatives to represent them in developing the border area in all respects.

“DPAP if elected to govern Jammu and Kashmir would usher in a new form of enormous development wherein the only focus would be overall employment, infrastructure (roads), education (colleges) and health (hospital) upgradation,” he asserted. Assuring people that once elected DPAP would guarantee full rights over their land, jobs and resources, Azad stressed that he would ensure implementation of the party's agenda of development in every nook and corner of Jammu and Kashmir. “DPAP’s development agenda is known to people of Jammu and Kashmir as recently the party through protests all over in two months was able to get curtailed ration quota back and previously the administration after our demonstrations also stopped forced land eviction,” he said.

Emphasising on unity among all in J&K, Azad underscored the need for electing people with clean image and track record as different political parties hardly match their word when they come to power. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been suffering for decades now due to militancy and misgovernance and the need of the hour is total development which would be possible only once clean and unbiased representatives are elected,” Azad argued. Earlier, the chairman DPAP was received by masses from all walks of life as slogan raising supporters welcomed Azad in Gurez. Among DPAP leadership who addressed the massive gathering include Mohd Amin Bhatt Provincial President, Shafiq Shabnam Provincial General Secretary and DPAP senior leader Nisar Ahmed Lone and others.(KNS)