I never promised restoration of Article 370: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Srinagar: Senior political leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who had quit Congress recently, said that he had not promised restoration of Article 370 in his new political agenda. He reasoned that he doesn't believe in giving out false promises, IANS reported.

The leader, addressing a public meeting in Baramulla town in north Kashmir, said, "To restore Article 370 would need around 350 votes in the Lok Sabha and 175 votes in the Rajya Sabha. This is a number no political party has or is likely to ever get. The Congress has shrunken to less than 50 seats, and if they speak of restoring Article 370, they are making false promises."

He added that his political agenda includes restoration of statehood, land and jobs for the locals adding that they are achievable objectives.

"Some people have blamed me for voting in favour of the Article 370 abrogation motion brought in by the home minister. I have voted against the abrogation, and these people who have no idea about the working of Parliament are saying that I voted against Article 370," he said.

He further said that he had arrested 13 police officers for staging a fake encounter and killing three. The officials have been in jail for the last 15 years, he said.

He spoke of the developmental works and creation of districts during his tenure as the chief minister.

He also said about the developmental works and formation of new districts under his administration.

"Four new districts were created in the Valley and three in the Jammu division during my tenure as the chief minister. I got new medical colleges during that period," he said.

"Whether I get four votes or lakhs of votes during the elections, I will never deceive the people," he promised.