Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 16: Former Union Health Minister and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that with the results of by-elections in various States, the tall claims of BJP stood exposed and its sheen has started fading away within 100 days of its existence.
Talking to reporters at the sidelines of a function organised at Noniyal Gurdwara in Nowshera to pay tributes to the 63 marriage party members of Rajpura Bhata, who were washed away in flood along with bus recently, Mr Azad said, “the sheen of BJP has started fading away within 100 days of its taking over the Government. We were expecting it with in six months. Anyway, people of this country are observing everything minutely.”
Replying to yet another question, Mr Azad said today’s election results from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and even Gujarat have exposed the tall claims of BJP leadership. They stood exposed before the country. People have high expectations from them because they carried castle in the sky. They are unable to fulfill the promises made with the people. It is easy to talk but harder to deliver. Congress Party never made false promises and talked in the air.
“Congress Ne Hamesha Zamini Satah Pe Reh Ke Baat Ki Hai…. Aur Is Mulak Ke Log Sab Dekh Rahe Hein,” Mr Azad remarked.
The AICC leader claimed that reverse trend for BJP started from Uttarakhand where Congress grabbed three seats and now it has shown its existence and rising graph in other States of the country in bye-elections. The beginning has been made and the people have now realized that there is difference in the BJP’s words and deeds.
Earlier, accompanied by AICC general secretary and in-charge J&K Affairs Ambika Soni (MP), PCC president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz (MP) and DyCM Tara Chand, Mr Azad met the relatives of the deceased of Rajpura Bhata and adjoining areas, who lost their dear ones in tragic mishap while travelling in a bus as members of marriage party. 63 persons were washed away in flood along with bus in Nowshera. These families had assembled at Noniyal Gurdwara. The Congress leaders shared the grief of the bereaved families and assured them every possible help.
They regretted to visit them late but assured that Congress party would render them every possible support. The locals projected the demand of allowing them to visit Ali Beg Gurdwara of Sant Baba Sunder Singh in PoK. Prof Soz said that their issue had been taken up by the then Foreign Affairs Minister Salman Khursheed. Now this issue will be taken with the concerned NDA Minister so that they take up the same with the Pakistani authorities. But at the same time, he said that at present the situation in Pakistan was not conducive and it will not be appropriate time to visit that side.
These top Congress leaders also paid visit to the flood affected areas of Poonch- Haveli and Surankote tehsils and conducted aerial survey along the course of the river Poonch to take stock of the havoc caused by the incessant rains and flash floods. They were received at Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), Purani Poonch by the Vice Chairman, Advisory Board for Development of Gujjar & Bakerwal, Bashir Ahmed Naz, MLA Haveli, Ajaz Ahmed Jan, MLC, Dr Shehnaz Ganai, Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, Mohammad Hussain Malik, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range, Ashok Kumar Attri and Senior Superintendent of Police, Shamsheer Hussain Choudhary.
Azad straight away drove to the flood affected Sher-e-Kashmir bridge and the adjoining areas of Shankar Nagar along the bank of river Poonch to have a first-hand assessment of the magnitude of damage caused by the flash floods and incessant rains. Azad directed the administration to show promptness in collection of flood damage details so that adequate help could be provided to the affected people. He asked the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Malik to get a list of affected people with full damages of crops, live stocks and property prepared by the revenue authorities so that relief measures are initiated. He asked him to distribute relief material to those who have lost their homes on priority basis and identify Government buildings where they can be rehabilitated in the short term.
The AICC leaders emphasized the need of speeding up the relief and rehabilitation operations so that people are saved from the havoc created by the incessant rains. The Deputy Commissioner informed that a committee of senior district officers has been constituted and assured that there will be absolute transparency in assessment of damages and relief distribution.
While interacting with affected families at a relief camp in Gujjar & Bakerwal Hostel, Azad said that State has a long history of being hit by floods claiming lives and damaging crops, livestock and property, therefore, a comprehensive policy taking care of every aspect of flood protection is the need of hour. Assuring that all the affected families will be compensated, he asked the affected families whose houses have been washed away to avoid rebuilding their houses near the river banks.
Later, these leaders held a public meeting at Dak Banglow in Surankote where they assured adequate compensation to all those who have been affected by the flash floods. They directed the Revenue authorities to expedite the process of relief distribution to all the affected families. SDM, Surankote, ASP, Poonch, Tehsildar Surankote, Choudhary Mohd Akram, Tariq Manhas besides several prominent citizens were present in the meeting.
They also paid visit to Thannamandi in Rajouri where 13 persons had been killed in a land slide and extended their condolences to the bereaved family members and relatives. The Congress leaders assured them that they would get additional financial assistance from the party fund.
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