In a candid conversation with Vikram Singh Thakur, DPAP leader Waseem Raja addressed speculation surrounding his presence at a recent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tricolor rally in Jammu & Kashmir's Doda district. The rally, organized ahead of Independence Day, showcased a 1,508-meter-long national flag and set a record for the region.
Raja clarified that his participation was not a political alignment with the BJP. "If it were a BJP rally solely, I would not have attended. But when it’s about the nation's tricolor, I am ready to put myself at risk," he said, emphasizing the importance of promoting communal harmony over party politics.
Addressing questions about why he did not attend rallies organized by other parties such as Congress, National Conference (NC), or local leaders like Mehraj Malik, Raja explained, "When the nation is at stake, I attend. When called to support brotherhood in Doda, I make it a point to stand up." He further stated that previous tricolor rallies, including one with a 1,508-meter flag, had his participation, even if media coverage was limited.
Raja also stressed that his presence at the BJP event was a message of unity: "When issues of the country or Doda’s communal harmony arise, we must come together. Party politics should take a backseat. That’s the example I want to set for the people of Doda."
Despite speculation on social media regarding his political loyalties and whether he was part of the BJP's "B team," Raja remained firm: "Labels don’t matter. What matters is that we act united when the nation or local community is concerned."
The interview highlighted Raja’s commitment to fostering unity in Doda, reinforcing that his attendance at rallies depends on national or communal significance rather than party affiliation.