New Delhi 

Former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is yet to name his new political outfit to contest elections in Jammu and Kashmir, today said that Article 370 of the Constitution that came as part of the special Status of Jammu and Kashmir state and was revoked three years ago by the government, is not going to be restored.

He said this while addressing a rally in Baramulla, north Kashmir. He told people that local politicians who w and regional parties were "misleading” them by promising to push for the restoration of the  Article.

"Ghulam Nabi Azad will not mislead you. For votes, I will not mislead and exploit you. Please don't rake up issues which can't be achieved. 370 can't be restored. It needs two-thirds majority in parliament," said Azad.

He said restoration of article 370 was not feasible since the main opposition the Congress party was "going down" with every election and there is no party in India that can get majority in parliament and restore Article 370.

He told the rally that he will launch his party in 10 days and it will "fight politics of exploitation and falsehood".

"The politics of exploitation has led to the killing of one lakh people in Kashmir. It has orphaned five lakh children and caused massive distraction," said Azad.

He said he has come to Jammu and Kashmir "to fight against the exploitation and falsehood even if it hurts his political prospects".

Azad's remark is a direct attack on the National Conference, PDP and to some extent the Congress that have cobbled an alliance with other parties and decided to fight for the restoration of J&K’s special status.

"It's another deception to provoke people for agitation and get them killed. So long Azad is alive, I will fight against falsehood. You will have to kill me if you want silence this idea," said Azad.

The veteran politician, who resigned from the Congress last month, promised people that the restoration of statehood was achievable and he would prefer campaigning for that. Also, he said he would fight for the fight of locals for jobs and resources in J&K.

His remark will change the narrative on Article 370 and hit the NC and PDP the hardest. "I will not raise emotive slogans for winning seats. We will have to fight for restoration of statehood. For this there is no need for a constitutional amendment," said Azad.

He said once statehood is restored, the state government can make laws for protection of jobs and land for the residents of Jammu and Kashmir and these two issues don't need approval of parliament.

The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister tried to strike a chord with people by invoking his work on human rights and development in the union territory, which was downgraded to a union territory three years ago when its special status was revoked.

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He reminded people how he prevented fake encounters and punished guilty police officials during his tenure as Chief Minister.