Urges people to vote for development, secularism
Jammu: Setting aside observations of some political pundits pertaining to Modi wave, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said that Congress will again come back to power in the form of UPA-III, to serve the people of the country.
According to a statement issued to KNS, Azad was addressing a mammoth gathering here at Katra town-the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi holy shrine, of Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary constituency. In his staunch reply to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other political parties, Azad said that UPA-III led by Congress will form the government in the centre and assured people will vote them on basis of development, secularism and leading the country and countrymen in new era of development in all spheres. He said Congress has always worked for the prosperity of nation, thereby is serving country for the last 129 years.
Azad, who is contesting candidate of Doda-Udhampur seat, castigated BJP and said “every time on the time of elections the party leadership uses different tactics to gain the vote bank on the basis of religion, caste and creed, whereas Congress party has never changed its stand and believes in secularism. He called upon the people to caste vote on the basis of all round development, secularism, and integrity of nation”.
The Congress bright-face while highlighting the heights achieved by the party said, “Congress party is connected with the people at grass roots level, which is evident after the incorporation of 73rd Amendment into Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act 1985”, besides, he said that “a chunk of 13 crore of Indian population has been benefited with employment through MGNREGA, 20, 000 Mega Watts power generation capacity has evolved during UPA-II which is historic and remarkable. Moreover, during the past ten years 51, 000 hospitals across the country were opened. Earlier during five years of Congress government, nation was benefitted with 35, 000 hospitals, isn’t it a development, he questioned and was applauded by the crowd”.
He said people of the country want better education, infrastructure, water supply, health facilities and Congress is committed and has ensured at a larger extent and urged the people to shun the divisive forces, which are hell bent to destabilize the peace and prosperity of the nation for their petty interests.
Azad said before the formation of UPA-I, Atal Bihari Vajpayee started ‘India Shining’ campaign to divert the people attention, despite that people showed their enthusiasm and voted for Congress. Parallel to this, BJP again played gimmicks but people casted their votes for Congress and UPA-II was formed with more vote margin.
While addressing an impressive gathering at Reasi, the Congress stalwart in the backdrop of Article 370 said that the state has its own Constitution, where Modi factor does not works. He said here in Jammu and Kashmir, it is Congress and NC coalition government under the leadership of chief minister Omar Abdullah, which has worked day and night and ensured the overall development of all the three regions of the state.
At his addresses in Arnas and Dharmari, “Azad also recalled the developmental steps taken by the state coalition with the backing of UPA. He highlighted “the state’s total annual budget is about 8000 to 8500 crores but it were the sincere efforts of Congress led UPA-II which provided 20,000 crores just for laying railway lines in Jammu and Kashmir.
Besides, NC-Congress coalition government gave new administrative units keeping in view the problems being faced by the people. “Now, you don’t have to go far off to get you work done. It is at your door steps, be it Tehsils, Sub-Divisions, Blocks, Niabats, Schools, Colleges, University campuses or Hospitals. Who has given it? What more you require? Your most of wishes have been fulfilled much before you demanded,” voiced Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad and urged the people to remain united and counter the nefarious designs of divisive forces by voting in favour of Congress party.
Among others who addressed the party rallies including, Minister for Revenue and Relief, Ejaz Khan, NC vice-president and sitting NC, MLA, Surjeet Singh Slathia, former minister and sitting Congress MLC, Jugal Kisohre Sharma and former NC MLA, Jag Jeevan Lal.
Azad also recalled the moment he had in Reasi, when a veteran BJP leader and former MLA, Rishi Kumar Koushal, who had is following in the entire Jammu Province, shaved his beard after Reasi was given district status in his tenure as a chief minister of the state. The veteran BJP leader was demanding district for Reasi for around thirty years and had promised he will trim his beard after the demand will be full filled. Azad said when the district was given; the veteran leader, who was reluctant to share Congress party’s dias, came to stage to embrace him for his decision. (KNS)