Srinagar, Oct 1 (UNI) Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) President Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday denied the rumours that he has come here to become the next Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

“I am not looking for employment here but to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir”, Azad said while addressing a rally for celebrating the completion of one year of DPAP here.

“I will request people not to trust the rumour mills which are working in overdrive…. There is a fresh rumour here that Ghulam Nabi Azad is going to be the next LG”, which he denied.

He said abrogation of Article 370 and 35A was a monumental blunder committed by the government of India four years ago which pushed the people of Jammu and Kashmir further to the wall.

The DPAP President said that political parties are waiting for elections for several years which were not being held in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have been waiting for elections for the last several years. Even some leaders died waiting for it during this period “,the former Union Minister said.

He said the people are facing numerous problems as inflation has risen and prices of essentials are skyrocketing.

"It is true that inflation is not only in India but in the whole world including America and Britain, besides in Europe it is more.We belong to a poor country, they (Europe) have other avenues and resources but we have no resources. We have small agricultural land and that too are dependent on weather if there has been a hailstorm that too gets damaged," Azad said.

He said employment is not available here in Jammu and Kashmir. "How many times did the boys and girls attend the interview but nothing came out of that, " the DPAP President asked.

Azad said mud sliding on other parties will fall on itself.

"We can criticize other political parties on their work or not doing or how they are running the administration, " he said.

“I have been through political fraud, but why should I criticize anybody? Give respect to elders and political leaders whether they belong to any religion or party”, Azad told party workers.

“One Tulip Garden (which was made in 2007) has provided livelihood to thousands of people. As CM, I had a plan to develop 10 to 12 tourist locations in each district of Jammu and Kashmir where thousands of people could visit to generate local employment avenues”.

“The map of development I had drawn in 2008 is still in my mind and I want to make it now”, he added.
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