In a significant political development, the J&K Dogra Lok Kalyan Forum (DLKF), an influential organization advocating for the rights of individuals in possession of state, forest, and custodian land, has officially announced its support for the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) candidate, Ashok Kumar Sharma.
The announcement was made during a press conference held by the forum’s president in Sunderbani on Wednesday.
The forum’s president, speaking to a packed audience, expressed disappointment with the political leadership of the region, noting that no leader had ever supported their cause, except for Ashok Kumar Sharma. He emphasized that Sharma had been a staunch advocate for their issues, taking them up directly with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.
“None of the leaders supported our cause ever, except Ashok Kumar Sharma, and a Congress leader Yograj. Ashok Sharma took up our issues with the Lt. Governor and Chief Secretary. Therefore, the forum unanimously decided to support him, who is contesting from the Kalakote-Sunderbani assembly seat,” the president declared.
The DLKF, which was established three years ago, has been tirelessly working to secure the rights of those occupying state, forest, and custodian lands. These individuals, many of whom have been residing on these lands for decades, have faced numerous legal challenges and have struggled to gain recognition for their claims.
“Individually, we tried our best for our cause for decades. Three years ago, we formed DLKF and appealed to politicians to come and support our cause, but no one showed any interest except Ashok Sharma. He joined our cause and took up the matter with the appropriate authorities,” the forum’s president explained.
He added, “The previous government allowed us to use these lands, which have long been in the possession of local people in J&K. However, under BJP’s rule, entries were removed from the revenue records, leaving hundreds of thousands of people at the mercy of fate.”
The president further emphasized the importance of having a representative in the legislative assembly who is committed to their cause. “We need a representative in the assembly for the cause of one and all, so we extend our support to Ashok Sharma,” he added.
Ashok Kumar Sharma, a seasoned politician and former legislator from Kalakote, is no stranger to the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. He won the 1996 assembly elections from the then newly carved Kalakote seat and also served as a member of the Upper House of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. His political career has been marked by his dedication to public service and his relentless pursuit of justice for his constituents.
Following the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory, the political boundaries of the region were redrawn. The delimitation exercise led to the creation of the Kalakote-Sunderbani assembly seat, which encompasses parts of Kalakote, Teryath, Siot, and Sunderbani tehsils in Rajouri district.
As the election season heats up, Ashok Kumar Sharma is set to file his nomination papers for the Kalakote-Sunderbani assembly segment as the DPAP candidate. According to a party spokesperson, Sharma will be filing his nomination at the Additional Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Kalakote on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11:30 AM. This move is expected to galvanize support for Sharma, who has a strong track record of advocacy and public service.
The backing of the DLKF is likely to bolster Sharma’s campaign, as the forum’s endorsement reflects a significant vote of confidence in his ability to represent and advocate for the rights of the people in the region. With the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir undergoing significant changes, the support of grassroots organizations like DLKF could prove to be a decisive factor in the upcoming elections.
