DPAP won’t seek votes on religion basis: Azad

DPAP chairman, Ghulam Nabi Azad addressing party meeting at Kathua on Tuesday.-Excelsior/Pardip
DPAP chairman, Ghulam Nabi Azad addressing party meeting at Kathua on Tuesday.-Excelsior/Pardip

Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Mar 26: Former J&K Chief Minister and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman, Ghulam Nabi Azad today asked the party colleagues to stay away from seeking votes on the basis of religion, asserting that religion has no role in politics.

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While addressing party workers’ rally at Kathua today, Azad advised the party colleagues and former Minister G M Saroori not to mix relgion with politics. He also asked them not to use abusive words against rival candidates during the campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls.
“My 45 years’ record in politics is before everyone and I have never spoke against rival candidates during electioneering across the country. Religion has no role in politics and once the elections are over, the successful candidates should keep the doors of their houses and offices open to meet people irrespective of their religion, caste or creed,” Azad said.
The former Chief Minister, who resigned from the Congress to launch his own party in September 2022, asked his party leaders to follow his footsteps and avoid using abusive words against rival candidates or seeking votes on the basis of religion, region, caste and creed.
“Every political party or government has good or bad things to their credit. You can speak positively or negatively on the policies of a party or a government but don’t indulge in abuse of rival candidates. Let the people decide their vote on the basis of the performance of the candidates and their parties,” Azad said, urging voters to support development and progress.
He also requested media persons to stop provoking rival candidates against each other and said, “A burst of AK-47 rifle can kill 36 persons, but one wrong news will kill thousands of people in one go.”
Azad underscored the pivotal role of an effective campaign in ensuring the success of party candidate Saroori.
The DPAP chief stressed the necessity of defeating those entities that seek to divide people along religious lines, as well as political parties that have failed to address the issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, Saroori stressed the importance of choosing an MP who is committed to progress and promised to fight for the people’s interests.
“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 and work tirelessly for their welfare,” he added.
Senior Party leaders R S Chib (Gen Secy), Provincial president Jugal Kishore Sharma, former Minister Abdul Majeed Wani, Vinod Mishra, Salman Nizami, Anita Thakur and others were also present on the occasion.