Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 27: Former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who resigned from Congress party on Friday, is all set to launch his own, national level party and its first unit would come up in Jammu and Kashmir within two weeks.
His close associate and former JKPCC vice president, GM Saroori said that some more leaders from J&K including three former Ministers arrived in New Delhi from J&K this evening and they will tender their resignation tomorrow. They met Azad at his residence and discussed future course of action and strategy. Many more from Kashmir and Doda region may arrive tomorrow.
A former Minister, who was among several prominent Congress leaders who resigned from the basic membership of the party in support of Azad, Saroori said their leader was ideologically secular and there was no question of him working at the behest of the BJP.
He also claimed that hundreds of senior Congress leaders, Panchayati Raj Institution members and prominent workers have tendered their resignations after the former Chief Minister ended his over five-decade-long association with the national party. Many more are following the suit.
“Azad is coming to Jammu on September 4 to hold consultations with his well-wishers before the launch of a new party,” Saroori disclosed.
Replying to a question, Saroori claimed that restoration of the pre-August 5, 2019 position of Jammu and Kashmir will be part of the party’s manifesto.
Hours after his resignation on Friday, Azad said he would launch a new party soon and that its first unit would be set up in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I am in no hurry as of now to launch a national party but keeping in mind that elections are likely to be held in Jammu and Kashmir, I have decided to launch a unit there soon,” Azad added.
Saroori, who along with several former legislators met with Azad in New Delhi on Friday to extend their support, said the veteran politician was going to announce the launch of the party within the next fortnight.
“We are happy that he is returning to J&K politics where he served as Chief Minister (from November 2, 2005 to July 11, 2008). People view his rule as a golden era and want him back to pull out Jammu and Kashmir from the present situation,” he said, adding that his support base is spread across Jammu and Kashmir.
Former Minister said the new party would focus on development, unity among all sections of the society, and would struggle for restoration of the pre-August 5, 2019 position.
On August 5, 2019, the Centre revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated the erstwhile State into two Union Territories.
Saroori said the Congress is almost finished in Jammu and Kashmir with the departure of Azad. Many more leaders and workers are keen to join the new party.
“There is a beeline of leaders (from J-K) coming to meet with Azad to extend their support. We have received hundreds of resignation letters from PRI members, including District and Block Development Council members and several Municipal Corporators,” he added.
Over a dozen leaders, including several former Ministers and legislators, resigned from the basic membership of the Congress in support of Azad and many more such as former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand are likely to resign after meeting with Azad in New Delhi on Saturday. Some leaders from Apni Party are also in touch with Azad and they may also join him in near future, Saroori claimed.
Referring to the statement of the Congress accusing Azad of “collaboration” with the BJP after his resignation, Saroori said those criticising him had closed their eyes to the ground realities and now were finding the earth beneath their feet slipping away.
“Azad is a secular leader who worked to strengthen the Congress over the past five decades. In fact, all of us have given our blood and sweat, but how can you stay back in a party which is insulting and humiliating you?” he asked, blaming the Congress leadership for compelling him and many others to take such a decision.
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