Ghulam Nabi Azad Calls Political Parties Competitors, Not Enemies, Ahead of Jammu and Kashmir Elections
Ganderbal (Jammu and Kashmir), September 23: Ghulam Nabi Azad, the leader of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), stated that he considers other political parties as competitors rather than enemies. He made this remark during a roadshow in Ganderbal, in view of the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Azad explained, “The political parties are not my enemies; they are our competitors. Like in class, we are all good friends but there is a competition…So I take every political party and leader as my competitor.”
He also mentioned his efforts for Article 370 and statehood, saying, “When I made the party (DPAP) and had my first party meeting, I said that I fought bravely for Article 370 and statehood…Nobody in the Parliament knew until I said that Article 35A was a pre-independence thing…”
Jammu and Kashmir is voting for its 90-member assembly in three phases. The first phase of voting took place on September 18, with a voter turnout of 61.13% in 24 constituencies across seven districts.
Farooq Abdullah referenced Azad’s remarks in the Rajya Sabha, comparing the development of Jammu and Kashmir to that of Gujarat, emphasizing significant progress while Article 370 was in effect. Abdullah questioned the Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the current state of development and terrorism in the region.
The second and third phases of voting in Jammu and Kashmir will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively, with votes being counted on October 8.
Doubts Revealed
Ghulam Nabi Azad -: Ghulam Nabi Azad is a senior Indian politician who has been involved in politics for many years. He is the leader of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party -: This is a political party in India led by Ghulam Nabi Azad. Political parties are groups of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government.
Article 370 -: Article 370 was a special provision in the Indian Constitution that gave special autonomy to the region of Jammu and Kashmir. It was removed in 2019.
statehood -: Statehood means being recognized as a state within a country. Ghulam Nabi Azad is talking about making Jammu and Kashmir a full state again.
Ganderbal -: Ganderbal is a district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the places where elections are happening.
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in northern India. It used to be a state but is now a union territory.
Farooq Abdullah -: Farooq Abdullah is another senior politician from Jammu and Kashmir. He has been the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir several times.
Gujarat -: Gujarat is a state in western India. Farooq Abdullah is comparing the development in Jammu and Kashmir to that in Gujarat.
61.13% turnout -: This means that 61.13% of the people who are allowed to vote actually voted in the first phase of the elections.
90-member assembly -: This means that the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir has 90 seats, and people are voting to fill these seats.
three phases -: The elections are happening in three parts or phases. This helps manage the voting process better.
September 25 and October 1 -: These are the dates for the next phases of voting in the Jammu and Kashmir elections.
October 8 -: This is the date when the results of the elections will be announced.