What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) has officially announced that its leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad, will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency. The declaration was made by DPAP treasurer Taj Mohiuddin during a press conference held in Srinagar.
SRINAGAR: The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) has officially announced that its leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad, will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency. The declaration was made by DPAP treasurer Taj Mohiuddin during a press conference held in Srinagar.
Azad, aged 75, has an illustrious political career. He served as the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha from 2014 to 2021 and held the position of Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir from 2005 to 2008. Azad also served as Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in the Manmohan Singh Government until 27 October 2005.
ALSO READ: NC picks Mian Altaf for South Kashmir Lok Sabha seat
Additionally, he led the party to success in the 2002 Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Recognizing his contributions to public affairs, Azad was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2022.
Hailing from Gandoh tehsil (Bhalessa) in Doda district, Azad began his political journey as the secretary for the Block Congress Committee in Bhalessa in 1973, subsequently ascending to roles such as president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress and president of the All-India Youth Congress. Having won the seventh Lok Sabha election from Maharashtra’s Washim constituency in 1980, Azad served in various capacities, including as Deputy Minister in charge of the Law, Justice, and Company Affairs Ministry in the Central Government. He represented Jammu and Kashmir in Rajya Sabha from 1996 to 2008, resigning upon assuming the Chief Minister position in November 2005.
ALSO READ: 2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)
In tandem with this development, the National Conference (NC) has revealed its candidate for the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, selecting Gujjar leader Mian Altaf, a five-time MLA, for the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have yet to disclose their nominees for the crucial seat.
Speculation looms regarding the BJP’s potential selection of a Muslim candidate, while the PDP, aligned with the INDIA bloc alongside the NC, remains reticent about its electoral strategy.
The Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, comprising Rajouri and Poonch, is slated for voting in the third phase on May 7. As the election fervour intensifies, political parties are gearing up for a fierce contest, with nominations set to open on April 12 and close on April 19.
