BJP always bartered peoples’ interest: Azad

Defeat communal forces, vote Congress to power
Doda: Exhorting the people to elect credible and tested representatives for the Lok Sabha, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad today reminded that BJP leadership in Jammu and Kashmir has always bartered peoples’ interests to accomplish their own personal agenda.
According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing series of public gatherings at various hilly belts in Doda and Kishtwar districts, Congress heavyweight, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad who is contesting Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency, today stated that except exploiting sentiments of the people to reap political benefits BJP leaders have never fulfilled aspirations of the common masses.
Accompanied by Minister for Roads and Buildings, Abdul Majid Wani, former Minister and Congress MLA, G M Saroori, MLC, Sham Lal Bhagat, Congress stalwart, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad made a dig at BJP leadership and sought to know their contribution for the country. Challenging BJP to present a single example where it had contributed for nation building, Mr Azad highlighted that “after sacrificing thousands of its leaders and workers in freedom struggle, only Congress party has been able to tap natural resources, raising hundreds of hydro power dams in the country, laying down numerous irrigations canals, highways and national highways, encouraging industrial growth, bringing revolution in agriculture sector and generating employment for the educated un-employed youths of the country”.
“It is Congress party under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress president Mrs Sonia Gandhi that had ensured equitable development of the people irrespective of their caste, religion or region. The space programmes, headway in Science and Technology, largest network of railways, better health care systems, massive industrialization and schemes for upliftment of poor and downtrodden have been the contribution of none other than Congress party,” highlighted Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad further questioning, “What is the role of BJP since Independence and till date? Can BJP leadership explain instead of criticizing Congress that too for wrong reasons, What role BJP has played for the development of nation and upliftment of poor masses? Who has made massive and record development in each and every field? Is it BJP? No, it is only and only Congress and it secular allies which has made India a strong nation”.
Lashing out at BJP for its untrue propaganda against Congress, Mr Azad said that “these divisive forces have just communal agenda in their manifesto and are out there to divide people in the name of religion. Ever since its existence, it had only been working towards dividing people just to come in power. And the people of the country will never allow such divisive forces to come in power.” 
Seeking mandate of the people to accelerate developmental activities in remotest and far-flung areas, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that Congress was committed for the betterment and upliftment of the backward and under-developed areas.
Mr Azad 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.
Highlighting the contribution of Congress party at Centre in the development of Doda, Kishtwar  and Ramban districts, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad listed down numerous projects executed through various centrally sponsored schemes in these 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 erstwhile Doda district is a pointer to the fact that Congress led UPA is aware of the problems of this hilly and remote belt. Had Congress not concerned about your problems, the Medical College would not have been sanction for you”.
“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. Shockingly, there are some political parties that are misleading the people by launching false propaganda against Congress party. They must visit in the field area and see the pace of development and then comment on the working of Congress”, pointed out Mr Azad further adding “In the past ten years of 70 percent of the villages of the country have been connected with roads, 70 lakhs schools have been established to provide education at door step”. He said that the opening of schools have increased the literacy rate of the country vis-à-vis appointment of teachers and further the salaries of these teachers are being paid by Government of India.
Mr Azad also 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”. (KNS)