Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad has urged political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to unite for the restoration of statehood, emphasizing the need for dialogue over protests. Speaking in Jammu on Saturday, Azad criticized the stalled state-level development projects and called for a cohesive approach to engage with the central government.

“Both the prime minister and home minister have promised statehood restoration in Parliament, but protests without prior talks with Delhi fragment our efforts,” Azad told reporters. He stressed that statehood enjoys universal support across Jammu, Kashmir, and all communities, urging leaders to prioritize serious discussions over symbolic demonstrations.

Welcoming the National Conference’s call for a special Assembly session on statehood, Azad emphasized that the issue transcends party lines. He dismissed rumors of his potential vice-presidential appointment as “baseless,” urging the media to avoid speculation about constitutional posts.

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Azad expressed alarm over the halt in local development, noting that while central projects progress, initiatives like roads and water supply have stalled. “I’ve visited 15 districts; people say not even a footpath is being built,” he said, advocating for local elections to boost employment through grassroots projects.

Commenting on recent political developments, Azad addressed the resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, citing health reasons, and avoided weighing in on Rahul Gandhi’s remarks against the Election Commission. He also downplayed calls for Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s resignation over a recent terror attack, noting similar lapses under other leaders.

Despite some DPAP members switching sides, Azad said the party’s grassroots support is growing. He reiterated the need for panchayat and municipal elections to drive development, emphasizing that a unified political front is crucial to restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

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