Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 13: Describing projection of Hindu or Muslim Chief Minister by some political parties as dangerous move for the secular country like India, former Union Health Minister and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that State needs a secular Chief Minister from any community and who has capacity to deliver and is capable of handling flood relief and rehabilitation work in the J&K.
Addressing public rallies at Reasi, Maan-Talai in Chenani, Banihal and Bhattan area of district Ramban today in favour of party candidates Jugal Kishore, Vikar Rasool, Krishan Chander and Ashok Dogra Mr Azad came down heavily on some political parties, trivializing the entire religious issue in the name of Hindu or Muslim Chief Minister. He warned such elements not to divide people on the communal lines and engineer polarization in the society.
Azad said, “Some political parties are propagating that Chief Minister should be Hindu and some Kashmir valley based political parties are trying to woo the people that Chief Minister should be from Kashmir. But, I am not bothered about any Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Christian or of any other caste as Chief Minister. We are not bothered about the religious identity of Chief Minister. What State need is a secular leader whose heart beats for the poor and downtrodden people irrespective of their caste and religion.”
It is also equally important that the new Chief Minister should be capable of handling relief and restoration works in the State efficiently and deliver good to the people. He appealed the people to vote in favour of Congress candidates as only Congress can ensure better development in the State.
“We need a Chief Minister with a developmental orientation having a capacity of building roads, schools, hospitals, colleges, universities, Government buildings, new avenues of employment for educated unemployed youths of Jammu and Kashmir. The one who can maintain law and order. And above all, he or she should have the capacity and capability to deal with post- flood situation, which had caused devastation and washed off lakhs of houses and agriculture land besides, school and hospital buildings and also bridges and roads across the State.”
Mr Azad further pointed out that “mere religious sentiments and polarization of votes in the name of religion and region is not going to help the State to make a comeback on the path of development and prosperity”.
Former Chief Minister further highlighted that Congress is contesting Assembly elections with a vision and specific agenda to serve the people of all the three regions of the State. “I am aware of the problems being faced by the inhabitants of this region so, I have prepared a blue-print for the growth and betterment of the State.”
Mr Azad, who during his tenure had accelerate developmental activities, said that being the most backward region, this belt deserve special attention and comprehensive programmes and policies for development and growth.
While listing the revolutionary developmental works initiated and completed under the leadership of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the then Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh, Mr Azad further pointed out that, “Revolutions never take place in a day, but Congress has always tried utmost best to give sigh of relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and other States. Creation of new administrative units, opening of hospitals, health centers, presence of AASHA workers, Anganwari centres in each village of the State, lakhs of developmental work under NRHM reveals our commitment and dedication towards the rural populace”.
Mr Azad further reminded the people about various developmental projects which were started during his tenure as Chief Minister for the development of this region. “Many projects are still incomplete”, he said and sought support of the people to finish that incomplete projects to improve their socio-economic conditions.
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