Former Dy Speaker J&K Joins Congress

Jammu: Former Dy Speaker Ghulam Haider Malik (Ex-MLA) Bani and Devinder Singh Bindu, prominent leader from Basohli in District Kathua were among those who joined Congress party in the presence of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and AICC General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad here today. Iqbal Dar retired Air India Officer from Doda and Gulzar Ahmed Shan son of former MLA Abdul Wahid Shan from Gool also joined on the occasion. They were garlanded by the leaders and their supporters. A large number of the supporters of Haider Malik and Devinder Bindu including Sarpanchs and Panchs also joined on the occasion.
A number of senior leaders were present on the occasion including PCC President G.A. Mir, former PCC Chief Peerzada Mohd. Sayeed, Tara Chand, Madan Lal Sharma, Mula Ram, Raman Bhalla, G.M. Saroori, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, M.S. Niaz, and others.
Briefing media persons Azad expressed joy and happiness that our brave pilot Wing Commander Abhinadan has returned safely. He refused to be dragged into any question over the politicization of the issues and said that Congress party had cancelled all political functions in the Country during for around a week to mourn the deaths of slain CRPF men in Pulwama attack but unfortunately the ruling party did not do this and continued with their scheduled political functions during the period. He said that the army and security forces do not belong to one party or community, they belong to the nation and everyone should desist to see them from the prism of politics and other considerations. Their achievements were the achievements of entire nation and of all people in the country. Any attempt to politicize their achievements is unfortunate. Replying to a question about the protests over issue of 35-A, Azad said that it is not issue of one region or religion as majority of the people of three regions want the retention of special status of the state, which was first enacted by Maharaja Hari Singh to safeguard the interests of people of the state.
Earlier Ghulam Nabi Azad who arrived here today took stock of the prevailing situation along the J&K borers and LOC with senior state congress leaders. He was briefed by the PCC leaders about the ground situation in view of intense shelling from across the border particularly in Poonch-Rajouri-Nowshera and other senior leaders were present on the occasion. Azad expressed great concern over the situation along the entire LOC & borders and expressed shock over the loss of lives and property of civilian and army personnel. He said that a team of party leaders shall visit affected areas to meet the family members of who martyred in Mendhar area of Poonch Dist. and take stock of the measures being taken to help the affected people. He said that the Congress party is behind the forces of the Country to face the challenge of terrorism and all peace loving people must extend full support and cooperation to the security forces and Govt. to end terrorism, as peace and harmony is paramount for the all round development, growth and progress of the state, which has suffered a lot and lagged behind in many ways due to the ongoing disturbed conditions for the last three decades