Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 3: Former Union Health Minister and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that Congress is looking forward for the formation of a stable and popular Government in the J&K State but the party has not the number to play any role in it.
Talking to media persons at the sidelines of party function on MGNREGA at Channi Himmat here today, Azad said, “Congress is looking forward for the early formation of a stable and popular Government in the State. We wish there should be Chief Minister and Council of Ministers so that justice is delivered to the people,” Azad said.
When asked about suspense and confusion created by both the parties and any possibility of Congress to joining Government, Azad said, “Congress has no role to play in it. We are at number four position and we do not have the required number as well. BJP and PDP are already in coalition. They should come forward to form the Government and bring an end to the suspense”.
There is no doubt that under the present political circumstances in the State, people are definitely looking towards Congress as they realize that only Congress can give a stable Government. But at present the Congress has nothing to do with the Government formation.
When asked about the denial of visa to the noted artist and film actor Anupam Kher by Pakistan, Azad said, Kher is a noted artist. It is wrong on the part of Pakistan to deny visa to a renowned Indian actor. The Government must take up the matter with Pakistani authorities.
Earlier, addressing a large function organised in connection with the 10th year celebration of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) /scheme, Azad said that religion has no role to play in the politics. BJP committed this blunder and result is before every one. He said that religion and politics can not go together. The BJP played the communal card and it faced the consequences. Within 8-9 months, just see the fate whether it is Delhi, Bihar and now in J&K.
Launching scathing attack on BJP for communalizing situation and rake up controversial, communal and sensitive issues, Azad said even those who never dreamt of even becoming an MLA became Ministers. It was all about the exploitation of the sentiments of the people and engineering polarization in the society on religion basis. They got a chance to become ‘Dulha’ whose Mehandi has not even faded away in this short stint. They all are out of picture but still desperate to regain power.
Azad said that a good leader is the one, who takes people of all the communities along. In the eyes of any party people from all the communities should be equal but it is BJP which created difference and the people have realized this and they now want to correct their mistake. They are now again looking towards Congress. This is good indication. He asked the party leaders and workers to reach up to the masses and educate them about the programmes launched by the previous UPA Government which now Modi led NDA Government is trying to en-cash.
Referring to the MGNREGA and other schemes of UPA Government, the AICC leader said that World Bank has declared this scheme as the largest rural development and employment generation scheme which has provided benefit to over 65 crore people in the country.
He said earlier, Modi Govt strongly opposed this scheme and declared to stop it but yesterday it was seen that NDA Govt gave full page advertisements in the news papers, popularizing this scheme and accepting the reality that it was the scheme meant for benefit of the rural people.
It is credit to the UPA Govt that NDA is also now acknowledging it. He said Congress brought schemes like NRHM, NHM, SSA, RGGVY and Food Security Act and others bringing reforms in power sector. Its results are being witnessed now. Many poor labour class people from Bihar, Odisha, Rajasthan etc have stopped moving to the other States in search of job. In Power sector reforms, road map was already prepared by the UPA-II Govt and now NDA will come forward to take the credit.
Cautioning the Congress workers that there is no place of factionalism, Azad said that Congress is emerging stronger in the State and the new team led by Ghulam Ahmed Mir was putting all its efforts to reach out to the people and project programmes and policies of Congress party. Several medical Colleges and AIIMS were sanctioned by UPA but the Modi Govt will take the credit. He said in Power sector huge investment has been planned which was never done in last 60 years. For cutting ribbons, the people from NDA would come forward. These issues are needed to be projected before the public, Azad asked party workers. He complimented the party workers for the success of MGNREGA.
PCC president G A Mir while complimenting the people on the success of this scheme, said that though some shortcomings were witnessed in the proper implementation of this scheme, yet it proved as great success in the country. He said Congress launched this scheme for the poor people including women and men and they are taking full benefit of the scheme. Unfortunately, new NDA Govt stopped funds under the scheme but now they have started releasing the same admitting that scheme was actually for the benefit of the rural poor. Mir described the scheme as great gift of the century to the rural poor from UPA-II led by Dr Manmohan Singh.
Mir also referred to the public meetings conducted in last one year and said his team managed to reach up to nearly 6 to 7 lakh people during nearly 190 meetings held. He said that Congress was present in all the three regions and the people are now looking towards Congress party as most viable and stable dispensation.
AICC secretary, Maniul Haq, senior leaders Tara Chand, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Sham Lal Sharma, Raman Bhalla, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Madan Lal Sharma, Mohd Sharief Niaz, Mula Ram, RS Chib, Namrata Sharma, Vikram Malhotra, Indu Pawar, Ravinder Sharma and others also spoke on the occasion.
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