Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 11: Training guns on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, former Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today alleged that “non-performer and in-effective” Omar became liability for the Congress Party.
Accusing coalition partner, National Conference for resorting to emotional blackmail, top AICC leader today dropped a salvo on the Chief Minister at an election rally, stating that “non-performer Omar became liability for Congress and he does not have even a single achievement to showcase as Chief Minister in last six years. Out of frustration, he is taking recourse to sterile rhetoric and indulging in mud-slinging.”
“While I do not wish to enter into a slanging match with him, but the stark reality is that he does not have a single achievement to showcase after being Chief Minister for six years, notwithstanding that he enjoyed full cooperation from Congress and unflinching support from the UPA Govt at the Centre”, adding that this is the reason for him to take recourse to sterile rhetoric and emotional blackmail.
Addressing public rallies at Kokernag, Sagam, Kiherbal, Mattan, Shangus and Anantnag in Kashmir today, Mr Azad said that instead of trying to make vain attempts to berate Congress, Omar should speak about his achievements and performance after being CM for six long years with the support of Congress.
“In just two and half years time, we created a tempo of development, introduced innovative tools to execute projects and painstakingly laid down a roadmap for the sustained development of the power sector, however, unfortunately all the hard work went down the drain due to the non-serious approach of this Chief Minister,” Azad said.
He claimed that Congress-led Govt created Chenab Valley Power Projects Corporation (CVPPC), and instead of harnessing the full potential of this institution, Omar could just ensure appointing a blue-eyed boy as its Chairman.
“What can be a glaring case of inefficiency that he could not make an important institution like Super-Specialty Hospital, Jammu functional the way it should have been, notwithstanding the fact that the building part was almost complete during my tenure. I gave Rs 15 crores over and above the norms of the scheme as Health Minister, but the result is before us”, Azad added.
Referring to increase in the age of Medical faculty, Azad said that inspite of constant persuasion, Omar exhibited reluctance and insensitivity for four years and then suddenly towards the end of his tenure he raised the age to 62, adding that he could have done it earlier also in the interest of Medical Education and patient-care in the State.
Azad said that there are innumerable instances where he has been found lacking in action and leadership, and with no achievement to showcase he hides behind the veil of emotional blackmail, misrepresentation and rhetoric, adding that after six years of performance, he should go the public with his achievements, not the rhetoric.
Explaining the compulsion of supporting the NC for full six years, Azad said “had Congress party withdrawn support, NC would have started `chest beating’, and accused not only us, but the entire nation of betrayal.”
“We gave unflinching support to NC, but Omar proved to be a “non-performer and ineffective Chief Minister” and thus became a liability for us. These are hard facts”, said Azad.
“Our friends in PDP too, would have painted as villains as people know how regional parties keep blaming national parties on slightest of pretexts, to hide their own misdoings and exploit the sentiments of the people”, Mr Azad said adding that we sacrificed our own party at the altar of trust and national interest.
Azad also assailed PDP leadership for its rhetoric on corruption, saying that a party which inducted the known corrupt bureaucrats into its fold and whose senior leader has been proven guilty in corruption case by CBI court, should not teach morality to us.
“In both the coalitions we followed principles, but both the allies ditched us. We cooperated with PDP, they backstabbed us. We gave unflinching support to NC, Omar proved to be a non-performer and ineffective Chief Minister and thus became a liability for us. These are hard facts”, Azad maintained.
Drawing attention to the devastation caused by the recent floods to private properties, commercial establishments, roads, hospitals, schools, colleges etc, Azad said that the need of the hour is to have a credible, time-tested and committed Government at this juncture.
“Congress-led Government has proven track record of reconstruction and rehabilitation, and it is incumbent upon the people of the State to make a careful and wise choice”, Azad added.
Peerzada Mohd Sayeed, sitting MLA & candidate, Manzoor Ahmad Ganai, contesting candidate, Hilal Shah, contesting candidate Anantnag, Gulzar Ahmad Wani and others were also present.
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