Noted economist and former Economic Advisor to J&K government, Dr Haseeb Drabu Wednesday said that he joined People’s Democratic Party because it is more vibrant and younger which wants to work in the interest of people.“PDP wants to bring about the change in the model of governance in Jammu and Kashmir. It is vibrant and young and intends to address all the issues of common people,” Drabu told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS adding that his party is deeply connected with the people at grass root level.
Drabu, who has held several key positions in the state government and has been part of many initiatives by New Delhi on J&K criticized present coalition government of the state for taking decisions at this critical juncture which could have serious financial implications in future.“ We have already a burden of Rs.800 crore on the state exchequer annually on the additional administrative units that the government created. This government is taking some decisions at the end of its tenure which I must tell you would have severe implications,” he said adding that this government proved a total failure on every front.“There is no comparison between National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party. PDP has assimilated common people in its fold while NC leadership is completely disconnected with the people. What I have perceived is that PDP is the only party in Jammu and Kashmir which is well placed in addressing the issues of people and this party has the instinct to do something better for the people of Kashmir especially youth who have suffered a lot from past two decades,” Drabu told CNS.
Responding to a question, Dr Haseeb Drabu said that present Chief Minister Omar Abdullah not only issued irresponsible statements from time to time but was also in-effective, ill-advised and isolated. “Just after the poll debacle, he (Omar Abdullah) confessed that the pre -poll alliance with Congress was a mistake and when he said that he should have listened to his party workers and members amply makes it clear that Omar Abdullah works in isolation who doesn’t bother to seek the advice of his party workers,” Drabu said adding that from past six years, Omar Abdullah committed plethora of mistakes that made people of Kashmir to suffer heavily.
Drabu said that he would develop Rajpora Constituency on modern lines. “If elected, Rajpora constituency will set national bench marks in social, political, and economic parameters. I will personally try to address the issues of people of Rajpora Constituency and will start a network of developmental works there,” Drabu said.Meanwhile, hundreds of people from Rajpora Constituency participated in the workers meeting that was presided by Dr Haseeb Drabu at his Gogji Bagh Jawahar Nagar residence. The workers appreciated PDP patron and president for awarding mandate to Drabu as according to them his (Drabu’s) political stature will surely help people of Rajpora to come out from the shell and move towards the path of development and progress. (CNS)