By IANS,
Srinagar : Former Jammu and Kashmir urban development minister Ghulam Hassan Mir Wednesday launched his own political party named Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Party.
Mir, Former senior leader of the ruling alliance partner Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is the sitting legislator from north Kashmir’s Tangmarg constituency in the 87-member state legislative assembly.
He won the 2002 election on a PDP ticket. The next assembly elections are due here later this year.
“The J&K Democratic Party with its urban and rural base would work for permanent peace in the state by achieving political, economic and social rights of the people with emphasis on economic self-reliance,” Mir said, addressing a media conference here Wednesday.
“Naam Roshan Hoo Abni Riyasat Ka, Ayee Agaz Karain Asi Siyasat Ka (Let us now start a kind of politics that brings glory to the state),” said Mir.
Mir had called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi last week.
He said he told Singh the pace of development in the state must be matched by addressing the problem of unemployment of local youth.
“Our party shall act as facilitators in the India-Pakistan peace process on Kashmir,” he said.
Sarfraz Khan, sitting legislator from the central Beerwah constituency, G.M. Bawan, a former senior Congress leader, and others Wednesday accompanied him.
The PDP earlier expelled Mir from its basic membership for anti-party activities.