Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 19: Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) president Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that the decision of not contesting the Lok Sabha Polls from Kashmir was his party’s decision.
Azad told media persons after DPAP candidate Saleem Parray filed his nomination papers for the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliament constituency in Anantnag today said he wanted to serve the people of J&K that is why he didn’t contest LS polls.
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“When I came from Delhi I had told the people that I would serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir. My people told me that by contesting the Parliament elections I am again moving to Delhi and doing the reverse of what I had said. So, I heard them and decided to serve them here only,” he said.
Azad said the decision not to contest the Parliament election was taken by his party and clarified that he does not take command from anyone for not contesting the polls. “The command of Ghulam Nabi Azad is in Ghulam Nabi Azad’s hand and not in the hands of any outside power,” he said.
Earlier this month his party announced that Azad would contest from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. However, a fortnight later the party named Saleem Parray as their party candidate.
The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said that Saleem Parray is a capable candidate. “I am sure that Parray will win the elections comfortably,” he said
The former Congress leader said that the position of DPAP is very good in the Udhampur Parliament Constituency.
On the polling, Azad said he believed that holding elections in April is a mistake being made by the authorities and the Election Commission, as rainfall affects voter turnout during the month
The DPAP head said that he has directed his party leaders to refrain from criticizing the opponents. “We must focus on our work. I respect all my opposition leaders whether they are senior to me or junior to me,” he said.
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