In New Twist, Ghulam Nabi Azad Says He Won't Contest Elections

in new twist, ghulam nabi azad says he won’t contest elections

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad will not be contesting from the Anantnag-Rajouri Constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, his party confirmed Wednesday.

Speaking to Times Now, DPAP Provincial Secretary Dr Shobee said that the decision was taken after multiple discussions and deliberations with senior leadership. The party now has decided to choose a young face for the Lok Sabha elections, she said, naming Advocate Saleem Parry.

“Asal me bade time se bahut deliberations, bahut discussion hua, pros and cons dekhke, all leaders were taken into confidence, yahi mashwara bana ki Ghulam Nabi Azad contest nahi karenge, ek young face, ek naya leader hum yahan se Parliament bhejna chahte hain, jo ek achchi awaz, ek achchi representation logon ki Parliament me de sakte hain.. Advocate Saleem ko hum Parliament election ke liye bhejenge..” she said.

Adding further on what led Azad to go back on his decision to fight the election, she said that it was a unanimous decision taken after recent poll rallies whereby Azad was advised by senior leadership, as well as some of the voters he met, that he should focus his energies on his state, rather than on Delhi.

“Senior leaders, aur logon ka jo rukjhan tha.. woh yehi tha ki Ghulam Nabi Azad Sahab ko wapas Delhi ke Parliament nahi jana chahiye.. balki state Assembly me as a Chief Minister kaam karke apni riyasat ke liye kaam karna chahiye. Logo ki bahut kam marzi rahi…” Dr Shobee said.

The new DPAP candidate Advocate Saleem Parry, a member of the District Development Council (DDC) and spokesperson, is expected to file his nomination Thursday.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Azad was nominated as the DPAP candidate for the key constituency of Anantnag-Rajouri on April 2. He was set to take on former CM Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP and veteran National Conference leader Mian Altaf Ahmad from the seat.