JAMMU, Nov 10: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today sought a decisive mandate from the people of the state for his Congress party in the forthcoming assembly elections.
“We are seeking a decisive mandate from the people of the state for the Congress party in the assembly elections,” Azad said at a rally at Devsar in South Kashmir before filing of nomination papers by party nominee Mohammad Amin Bhat.
He asserted it is the Congress-led government alone which has proved credentials of being pro-development and that it alone can meet the expectations of the flood-ravaged people.
Maintaining that the Congress-led government between 2006 and 2008 laid emphasis on equitable, balanced and all-round development of the state, Azad said for better future of the youth and to revive an era of prosperity, development and fast-track infrastructure building, the people should allow the Congress an opportunity to lead the state government.
Recalling the thrust laid on speedy and time-bound execution of developmental projects to set the state on the path of prosperity and progress, Azad said it is the Congress- led government which scripted a new chapter of development- oriented governance in the state.
Azad said unprecedented developmental activities were started in the state with focus on building of roads, bridges, tourism development authorities, inter-regional highways, schools, colleges, off-site university campuses, health infrastructure, etc.
Alluding to the measures taken to promote development and decentralise administrative machinery in South Kashmir, Azad said that during his tenure as Chief Minister, two new districts and many new tehsils were created in South Kashmir which brought governance to the doorstep of the people.
Azad said as the Union Health Minister, historic and first-of-its-kind decision of setting up a medical college at Anantnag, in addition to Doda, Kathua, Rajouri and Baramulla, was taken by him which upon becoming functional, will enable the people to avail of secondary and advanced health care at their doorsteps.
Referring to the “unequalled devastation caused by the recent floods to the public infrastructure, private properties and commercial establishments”, Azad said rehabilitation and reconstruction of the state will be the first monumental challenge before the new government.
Azad said in such a scenario it is incumbent upon the people to choose and elect a government which can deliver on the front of rebuilding the state in an effective and expeditious manner.
Azad asked the people to recall the support and funding which was extended by the central government in 2005 and the role played by the Congress-led state government in providing relief and rehabilitation to the earthquake-affected people of Uri, Karnah, Tangdhar, etc.
Castigating the NDA government for not extending adequate and appropriate financial support to the state government for carrying out reconstruction and rehabilitation activities, Azad said that affected people are facing unmitigated hardships due to chilly winter, adding that the role and response of NDA Government in a humanitarian crisis has been grossly inadequate and partisan.
Urging the people to elect a Government which is ‘capable’, ‘determined’ and ‘time-tested’ to undertake the reconstruction and rehabilitation exercise as also live up to the expectations of the people, Azad said that people of the state can rewrite their destiny by giving a decisive mandate in favour of the Congress Party. (Agencies)
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