Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections: Azad Calls Political Leaders Competitors, Not Enemies

Ahead of the second and third phases of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chief Ghulam Nabi Azad emphasized that political leaders are competitors, not enemies. He highlighted his defense of Article 370 and statehood, while voter turnout remained strong in the first phase.

As Jammu and Kashmir prepare for the second and third phases of their assembly elections, Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chief Ghulam Nabi Azad clarified his stance, referring to political leaders as competitors rather than enemies. Speaking at a roadshow in Ganderbal, Azad asserted, "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 said.

Addressing the media, Azad recalled the efforts to safeguard Article 370 and statehood during his first party meeting. "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," he explained. The Union Territory is voting for its 90-member assembly in three phases, with the first phase completed on September 18.

The initial phase witnessed a turnout of 61.13% across 24 constituencies in seven districts. Farooq Abdullah referenced Ghulam Nabi Azad's earlier remarks in the Rajya Sabha, comparing Jammu and Kashmir's development under Article 370 with that of Gujarat. He posed questions concerning the current state of development and the fight against terrorism. Voting for the second and third phases in J-K is scheduled for September 25 and October 1, with the results to be declared on October 8.

(With inputs from agencies.)