![Former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad posing with winners of local cricket tourney after presenting trophy at Udhampur on Tuesday. Former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad posing with winners of local cricket tourney after presenting trophy at Udhampur on Tuesday.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/page1-3-15-696x421.jpg)
‘Those claiming to bring back 370 misleading people’
Gopal Sharma
UDHAMPUR, Jan 16: Former J&K Chief Minister and DPAP chairman, Ghulam Nabi Azad today demanded holding of Assembly elections in J&K with the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
While talking to the media persons at the sidelines of a function here today, Azad who was in the town said, ” the Central Government must conduct Assembly elections along with the Lok Sabha polls in the Jammu and Kashmir.”
Azad said the problems of the people have increased manifold and the same can be solved only when the representatives elected by the people come to power. They will listen to their problems and the people have the easy access to their own elected representatives.
Referring to the unemployment, Azad said this is the biggest problem being faced in J&K. Due to massive unemployment the youth are depressed and dejected today. They are moving towards drugs. This is also a major challenge because youth are the future of any nation. It is the collective responsible of the Government and the society to watch the interests of our youth, he added.
While replying to a question on Article 370, Azad said he tried a lot but got only 14% votes in the Parliament while 86 % were against it. He said now it can never be reversed. If there is revolution on the issue in future, that is different matter.
He said those who are saying that if their rule comes, then they will bring back Article 370, they are misleading the people. Because the power lies with the Parliament only. He said if his Government comes to power, he will ensure triple shift work culture and bring massive development besides containing unemployment, for which he has the vision in his mind.
Earlier, Azad flanked by senior leaders R S Chib and Jugal Kishore paid tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi installed at Domel Chowk Udhampur and also honored some promising children.
After this, he met the delegations of various organizations at the house of DPAP district president Ashwini Khajuria besides UT secretary Preeti Khajuria.
A deputation of Christian community of Udhampur led by Ashish Mattoo, Rajput community headed by Sanjeev Singh, Sikh community headed by Sardar Amarjeet Singh, the youth of the Christian community headed by Honey Mattoo, transporters under the chairmanship of Darshan Kotwal, youth of Udhampur in large numbers under the chairmanship of Saksham, displaced people of Doda under the chairmanship of Pritam Kotwal, Panch and Sarpanch met Azad and informed him about their problems.
Later, he also paid visit to Subhash Sports Stadium and gave trophies to the winner and runner-up in the final match of T20 Tejamal Cricket Tournament, in which the winning team of Udhampur was given a prize of Rs 1.5 lakh along with the trophy and the runner-up team of Ramban was given a prize of Rs 1 lakh in the form of a cheque.