Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 24: Dismissing the people’s perception and propaganda unleashed by the Opposition that top Congress leaders were scared of Modi factor and avoiding to contest Parliamentary elections, Union Health Minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that there was no Modi factor here and the BJP was unable to find safe and secure seats for its top leaders.
Talking to media-persons at the sidelines of a public rally at Bhore Camp here today, the Mr Azad said, “Neither he, nor his top party leaders are scared of Modi factor. In fact, there is no Modi factor at all. If it is so, then why that party is fielding bollywood actors or other celebrities from various Lok Sabha seats.”
Coming down heavily on BJP, Mr Azad said the way BJP is showing disrespect to its top leaders like Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi or Jaswant is really shocking. These leaders have contributed a lot for the party and the way they are being treated by the present leadership of that party is really unfortunate.
Replying to another question, the Union Health Minister said he was not reluctant to contest from Udhampur-Doda seat. Infact, the top leadership of the party accepted the plea of the party cadre in the State and asked him to contest. It was party decision and being real party soldier it was his prime task to contest from where ever the party decides.
When sought his comments regarding Supreme Court directives to provide opportunity to the Military and Paramilitary forces to participate in the electoral process through ballot vote system, Mr Azad said it was good decision. The forces are guarding borders and maintaining law and order situation in the country, they deserve to exercise their right to vote. When asked whether BJP will be major beneficiary with decision, the Congress leader said, “No jawan carries a BJP of Congress tag. It is their independent decision whom to caste vote.”
Earlier, addressing a Congress rally, Mr Azad said that only Congress will resolve the long pending issue of the refugees from PoK, West Pakistan and Chhamb. The UPA Government is already working on one time comprehensive settlement and a package is being fimalized for their one time settlement. He claimed that only Congress leadership will provide justice to them.
While seeking votes for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha candidate of the party, Madan Lal Sharma, Mr Azad said that the liberal funding by the Central Government and all its schemes meant for rural India, helped J&K blink on the development map of the country. The Congress is committed for secularism, brotherhood, peace and development. He said divisive forces were hell bent upon segregating people on communal and regional lines. Congress will never allow such elements to succeed in their dirty designs. He asked people to strengthen Congress for the development in the State.
PCC president, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz in his address said that there was no room for communal forces in India and people were going to reject such divisive organisations in the ensuing Parliamentary polls. He said the nation achieved global recognition with regard to development under the regime of Congress led UPA Government at the Centre. The State recorded tremendous development under UPA regime.
Minister for Housing, Culture and Sports Raman Bhalla, who organised the public meeting, sought votes for party candidate Madan Lal Sharma. He said that only Congress can ensure better development in the State and provided justice to the people of all the three regions. He said Bharatiya Janata Party having no agenda, programme or economic policy had always been trying to woo voters on communal lines which is a dangerous trend. He said that people in the country were awakened and do not believe in politics of hatred.
Others who also addressed the meeting include district president JKPCC, Jammu Om Chopra, Ghulam Nabi Monga-MLC and MLA Indu Pawar.
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