‘G-23 leaders to conduct poll campaign in 5 States’
*Development a ‘big casualty’ in J&K
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 28: Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad today praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he speaks frankly about his past as a tea-seller and does not try to hide his background from the world.
Addressing a function organised by Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust here today, the former J&K Chief Minister said a person should not try to hide his past, rather feel proud of his roots.
“I admire several things about a number of leaders. I am from a village and I am proud of it. I also like a lot of things about leaders like our Prime Minister, who says he is from a village and used to sell tea,” Azad said.
“I might have political differences with Modi, but he is also frank about his past of being a chaiwala (tea-seller),” he added.
These remarks came a day after Azad and other half a dozen ‘G-23′ dissident leaders, who have been pressing for a leadership change and organisational overhaul in the Congress, gathered on one stage here and said the party is getting weak.
Modi had recently profusely praised Azad, who was the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, during the Congress MP’s farewell in the Upper House.
An emotional Prime Minister had recalled how Azad had reached out to him in 2006 after tourists from Gujarat were killed in a terrorist attack. He said the person who will replace Azad, will find it tough to match his contribution.
Talking to media at the sidelines of the function, Azad said when he was J&K Chief Minister, there used to be triple- shift work system, but unfortunately, these days there is hardly half- shift work visible in J&K.
“I can tell that the developmental work used to take place in triple- shifts which is not happening now. I went around many areas and have seen the roads in a dilapidated condition, industries closed down and unemployment at its peak. There is a talk of development but it is only on paper and not visible on the ground,” he claimed.
Azad asked the Government to ensure that development schemes are implemented at grass root level and to focus on improving the economic condition of the region by pumping more money, `beyond the regular budgetary allocation as was the practice in the past during the Congress rule’.
When asked about the situation in J&K before and after the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre on August 5, 2019, Azad quipped, “It is like a DGP being stripped of his rank and made an ordinary Constable”.
Azad did not agree with the point that the presence of senior party leaders at a function at Sainik Colony, Jammu on Saturday was a show of strength to convey a message to the party high command.
“I have returned after a gap of one-and-a-half years. Before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in March last year, there was a budget and winter session. There was a long demand that a function be organised,” he said.
On the remarks of senior Congress leader, Manu Singhvi that those claiming to strengthen Congress should go to the five States for campaign where elections are going to be held shortly, Azad said, “Who told Singhvi that we are not going to these states. We have received invitation from there and we will surely go there to campaign for the party,” Azad asserted.
Earlier, Azad inaugurated Sarwari Kasana Hall in the premises of Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust at Channi Himmat on Bypass Road. This hall has been constructed on the name of the legend of the Gujjar community, Late Ch Fateh Ali Kasana, popularily known as Sarwari Kasana.
Former Minister Taj-Mohiuddin presided over the function while Chairman of the Trust Abdul Hamid Choudhary , senior leader Shah Mohd Choudhary and others were also present.
Azad was honoured with Ist Shahan-e-Gujjar Award for his services to the Gujjar community on the occasion. Chairman of the Trust also submitted a memorandum to Azad projecting the demands of the community.
Azad asked the Gujjar community members to elect their representatives in civic bodies to work for the people. “I want to tell the elected representatives including District Development Council (DDC) and Block Development Council (BDC) members who have won from the seats reserved for their categories to work tirelessly for the benefit of the community.
“You have been elected through reservation and it is your responsibility to utilise your services for your community,” Azad said.
Later, Azad visited the ailing retired ADG, Masud Ahmed Choudhary, Patron-in-Chief of the Trust at his residence.
Meanwhile, Azad also visited the residence of former MP, Late Madan Lal Sharma along with former Minister Yogesh Sawhney at Muthi and shared the grief of the family. He spent some time with the family members and then left for Delhi in the afternoon.
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