Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 5: Union Health Minister and All India Congress Committee (AICC) leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that Modi wave was only in the air while the Congress existed at ground level throughout the country.
Addressing public rallies at Darhal, Khawas, Devak and Peeri in Rajouri, Mandi in Poonch and several border villages of Keedian- Gandyal, Kharote and Kalaspur of Kathua today, the Union Minister who is contesting elections from Kathua-Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat said that the much hyped Modi wave only existed in the air while Congress was at ground level. Azad said Congress exists at the grass root level in all the villages and towns of the country whereas, much hype has been created projecting Modi wave which actually exists no where.
Mr Azad pointed out that in 2004 and 2009 elections it was projected by the media and the BJP cadre a great victory of that party but the results were totally different. Congress won the elections and the UPA turned more stronger. This time again, despite projecting Modi wave by some people, the UPA-III would come to power. The Congress has been going to the people on the development plank and development and progress is the only Mantra for the victory and winning people’s trust.
While referring to the claims of some people in BJP that Congress has to be finished in the country, Mr Azad said Congress has the history of over 130 years. Its many leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Abul Kalam Azad and others sacrificed during freedom struggle and went to jail many times. They have great contribution for the country. “Tell me about any BJP or RSS leader who have ever gone to the jail for the freedom of the country and gave any sacrifice. Congress is the history of this country and the history can never be finished. Those making such claims are talking about finishing the Indian history and the freedom struggle,” Mr Azad maintained.
“It is the Congress Party which, keeping in view the problem and plight of the people has initiated people oriented projects. There has been record development in the past 10 years’ rule of Congress led UPA-I and UPA-II. But shockingly, there are some political parties which are misleading the people by launching false propaganda,” he added.
Mr Azad while seeking mandate of the people to accelerate developmental activities in remotest and far-flung areas said that Congress was committed for the betterment and upliftment of the backward and under-developed areas.
Accompanied by Minister for PHE, Flood Control and Irrigation, Sham Lal Sharma, the Union Minister held series of public meetings in remote and hilly belt of Poonch-Rajouri via Chopper and sought vote for Congress candidate for Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary Constituency, Madan Lal Sharma on development plank.
The AICC leader 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.
Observing that Congress is contesting Lok Sabha elections on development plank, Mr Azad said that during its regime Congress had proved how to deliver good governance to the people. He reminded that it was during his tenure that sincere efforts were made to complete work on Mughal road. He said that the dream of making Mughal road functional was fulfilled only during the regime of Congress led Government in the State.
“As a Chief Minister, I had personally intervened to make it sure that this road should be made functional”, he recalled and mentioned that credit goes to Congress that vehicular movement on this historical road was started.
Mr Azad availed this opportunity to inform that it was all due to the efforts to Congress led Government at Delhi and in Jammu and Kashmir that points at LoC were opened for trade.
Reiterating that the cross-LoC trade and travel are the only achievements for the people of Jammu and Kashmir since independence in their effort to end the siege around the State, Mr Azad said that time has come to take these relations to next level. “The trade and travel across the Line of Control shall not only get strengthened but a more effective mechanism would be established to curb any attempt to cause a setback to the process of reconciliation”, he said and assured that process of cross LoC trade would be made easier in the days to come.
He said that the LoC trade had a vast potential of growth and so had the travel between the two parts of the erstwhile State. He said the hassle free trade and travel could do a great extent neutralize the negative effects of partition on our State which was a hub of international trade before 1947 but has been reduced to dead end.
Highlighting the contribution of Congress party at Centre in the development of Rajouri and Poonch district, Azad listed numerous projects executed through various Centrally sponsored schemes in the twin border districts. The sanctioning of five Medical Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir, that included three from Jammu region and two for Kashmir valley, Congress stalwart highlighted that “Sanctioning of a Medical College for Rajouri and Poonch district is a pointer to the fact that Congress led UPA is aware of the problems of this border and hilly belt. Had Congress not concerned about your problems, the Medical College would not have been sanction for you”.
Giving a detailed account of the contributions of Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare especially for Rajouri and Poonch district, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad pointed out that “I still remember when there used to unprovoked firing from across the border besides armed terrorists unleashing reign of terror on innocent civilians. But we fought it with iron hands and now the people are living in peace. After the end of militancy, new era of development was started by Congress. My department provided number of Hospitals, First referral units, Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and NTPCs wherever there was requirement in this hilly belt”. “Besides 167 Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees, at least 8 Mobile Medical Units and ambulances have been kept at various identified areas exclusively for the services of people of Rajouri and Poonch,” Mr Azad maintained.
“Crores have been spent for the construction of number of new roads under Prime Minister Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) as well as Central Road Fund (CRF) to ensure every hilly and remote village is connected with each other. Besides, number of such construction works are under way and would be completed soon, which would help to eradicate the problems of local populace to a large extent”, he added.
Mr Azad cautioned the people against designs of divisive forces and said that opposition PDP is contesting Lok Sabha elections only to give indirect benefit to BJP in these elections in Jammu region. “PDP candidates are not going to win elections but they are in the fray only to divide secular votes to help divisive forces like BJP for political gains”, he said and exhorted the people to cast votes in favour of coalition candidate Madan Lal Sharma for growth and development and for strengthening communal harmony and brotherhood.
The Union Minister said, “It is Congress party which, keeping in view the problems and plight of the people have initiated people oriented projects. There has been record development in the past 10 years’ rule of Congress led UPA-I and UPA-II. Unfortunately, there are some political parties which are misleading the people by launching false propaganda against Congress. They must visit these border districts and see the pace of development and then comment on the working of Congress”, said Mr Azad further adding in the past 10 years, 70 percent of the villages of the country have been connected with roads, 70 lakh schools have been established to provide education at door step”. He said that the opening of schools has increased the literacy rate of the country vis-à-vis appointment of teachers, being paid salaries by the Government of India.
Mr Azad said that under Congress led UPA regime there has been a three-fold increase in food subsidy during UPA tenure. The Food Security Act will entitle 35 kg of food-grains per month and other families for 5 kg per person at subsidized rates have been passed during UPA regime. This Act has been introduced in 13 States so far.
Former Minister Babu Singh, Sardar Khan, Dhyan Chand (NC) and Naresh Sharma also accompanied Mr Azad in Kathua district.
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