Azad Fields G M Saroori in Lok Sabha Elections

KO NEWS SERVICE

BUDGAM: The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) headed by Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday announced G M Saroori as its candidate for Udhampur Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming general polls.

The announcement was made at a public rally addressed by Azad at Chrar-e-Shareef in Budgam district of central Kashmir.

"For Udhampur, it is my intention and I will discuss it with others that G M Saroori will contest. He is the most senior leader and four-time MLA and vice chairperson of our party. I think I am active, but he is more active than me. He is the appropriate candidate. We have not yet taken a final decision, but we have zeroed in on the name," Azad told reporters after the rally.

The DPAP also announced Saroori's name in a statement and on the party's X handle.

"DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad has announced G.M. Saroori as the candidate for Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency in the Lok Sabha elections," the party said.

Azad said the party has not taken a final decision on fielding candidates on other constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

To a question on why the party was not announcing the candidates, Azad said it will not make much difference even if the party makes the announcement at the eleventh hour.

"Some habits of the Congress party are still with me like announcing the candidature at the last moment. However, it will not make a much difference because I have been visiting every area. Even if the candidate comes at the eleventh hour, it will not make much of a difference," Azad said.