Tag: Gulam Nabi Azad

  • Azad’s comments on Kashmiri Pandits’ displacement is to ‘bail out’ real culprits: BJP

    By PTI

    JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir BJP on Friday targeted Democratic Progressive Azad party (DPAP) chairman Gulam Nabi Azad for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Kashmiri Pandits in his autobiography ‘Azaad’.

    It said reasons identified by Azad as being responsible for the displacement of the minority community members from the Valley is to ‘bail out the real culprits’.

    “We condemn Azad for abusing and hurting the sentiments of the Kashmiri Pandit community in his autobiography as reported by the media. We blame Azad for being equally responsible for the forced displacement of a religious minority of Kashmiri Hindus from the Kashmir Valley in 1989-90,” BJP spokesperson and former legislator Girdhari Lal Raina told reporters here.

    Blaming Azad for being one of the persons at the helm responsible for the death and destruction in Jammu Kashmir, Raina said that his studied silence over gathering storm from 1980 onwards and infiltration and exfiltration of terrorists and unilateral attacks on the minority community in Kashmir is well known.

    “Azad was always in important decision-making positions in the Congress party and also in its government. He can in no way escape responsibility for happenings in Jammu Kashmir”, he said.

    Raina said that Azad’s description of events leading to the displacement of the Hindu community is a ploy to shift blame for narrow electoral benefits.

    “Azad was in Union government continuously from 1980-1989, the period that saw targeted isolation — othering of religious minorities in Kashmir including violent communal attacks in Anantnag Kashmir in 1986 and also selective killings of the minority community of Kashmiri Pandits in 1988-89 much before even elections to the 9th Lok Sabha were held,” he added.

    The targeted killing of Keshav Nath Mahant of Vicharnag Srinagar on December 9, 1988, Prabhawati of Chadoora Budgam, D N Raina of Drabyar Srinagar, Sheela Tikoo of Srinagar and Tika Lal Taploo, Neel Kanth Ganjoo in 1989 was much before the Congress Party was voted out in New Delhi, Raina said.

    “Azad was there when the Rajiv Gandhi-Farooq accord happened and when 70 terrorists were released in 1989 by the Farooq Abdullah government in J-K. How can he ignore the environment of terror and targeted stone pelting of minority community homes during Lok Sabha elections of 1989?” he said.

    “Reasons identified by Azad responsible for the displacement are to bail out real culprits and if he thinks this undermining of truth will endear him to voters of a particular section, he is grossly mistaken. Let Azad recall how he was rejected even as the chief minister,” the former MLC him.

    Blaming then-governor Jagmohan is a sponsored conspiracy to destabilise India and sabotage Indian democracy, Raina said.

    Raina asserted that the minority community was not targeted for being Congress supporters or because of supposed high positions in central offices.

    “The only reason for their besiegement was their nationalism and religious identity. The killing of a lift operator, staff nurse, laboratory assistant, driver, farmers, pujaris, mahants or housewives explains the objective explicitly,” he said.

    Panun Kashmir chairman Ajay Chrungoo also hit out at Azad for his comments on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits “Azad is also a communal leader in the grab of secularism,” he said.

    JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir BJP on Friday targeted Democratic Progressive Azad party (DPAP) chairman Gulam Nabi Azad for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Kashmiri Pandits in his autobiography ‘Azaad’.

    It said reasons identified by Azad as being responsible for the displacement of the minority community members from the Valley is to ‘bail out the real culprits’.

    “We condemn Azad for abusing and hurting the sentiments of the Kashmiri Pandit community in his autobiography as reported by the media. We blame Azad for being equally responsible for the forced displacement of a religious minority of Kashmiri Hindus from the Kashmir Valley in 1989-90,” BJP spokesperson and former legislator Girdhari Lal Raina told reporters here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Blaming Azad for being one of the persons at the helm responsible for the death and destruction in Jammu Kashmir, Raina said that his studied silence over gathering storm from 1980 onwards and infiltration and exfiltration of terrorists and unilateral attacks on the minority community in Kashmir is well known.

    “Azad was always in important decision-making positions in the Congress party and also in its government. He can in no way escape responsibility for happenings in Jammu Kashmir”, he said.

    Raina said that Azad’s description of events leading to the displacement of the Hindu community is a ploy to shift blame for narrow electoral benefits.

    “Azad was in Union government continuously from 1980-1989, the period that saw targeted isolation — othering of religious minorities in Kashmir including violent communal attacks in Anantnag Kashmir in 1986 and also selective killings of the minority community of Kashmiri Pandits in 1988-89 much before even elections to the 9th Lok Sabha were held,” he added.

    The targeted killing of Keshav Nath Mahant of Vicharnag Srinagar on December 9, 1988, Prabhawati of Chadoora Budgam, D N Raina of Drabyar Srinagar, Sheela Tikoo of Srinagar and Tika Lal Taploo, Neel Kanth Ganjoo in 1989 was much before the Congress Party was voted out in New Delhi, Raina said.

    “Azad was there when the Rajiv Gandhi-Farooq accord happened and when 70 terrorists were released in 1989 by the Farooq Abdullah government in J-K. How can he ignore the environment of terror and targeted stone pelting of minority community homes during Lok Sabha elections of 1989?” he said.

    “Reasons identified by Azad responsible for the displacement are to bail out real culprits and if he thinks this undermining of truth will endear him to voters of a particular section, he is grossly mistaken. Let Azad recall how he was rejected even as the chief minister,” the former MLC him.

    Blaming then-governor Jagmohan is a sponsored conspiracy to destabilise India and sabotage Indian democracy, Raina said.

    Raina asserted that the minority community was not targeted for being Congress supporters or because of supposed high positions in central offices.

    “The only reason for their besiegement was their nationalism and religious identity. The killing of a lift operator, staff nurse, laboratory assistant, driver, farmers, pujaris, mahants or housewives explains the objective explicitly,” he said.

    Panun Kashmir chairman Ajay Chrungoo also hit out at Azad for his comments on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits “Azad is also a communal leader in the grab of secularism,” he said.

  • At Kapil Sibal’s dinner, Opposition demands strong leadership in Congress to counter BJP

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal’s birthday dinner on Monday became a rallying point for the Opposition’s call for unity and change in the working of the Congress party to counter the ruling dispensation.

    On one hand, where the Gandhi family remained absent from the gathering, it witnessed an attendance of G-23 members including veteran Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad, party MP Shashi Tharoor, Bhupendra Singh Hooda, Anand Sharma, Manish Tewari and P Chidambaram.

    As per sources present at the party, the occasion turned into another show of G-23 leaders, where for the first time opposition party leaders got together at a dinner table, and demanded changes in Congress leadership.

    The dinner was also attended by many important non-UPA leaders like RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, TMC’s Derek O’Brien, Omar Abdullah from National Conference, Pinaki Mishra of Biju Janta Dal, Naresh Gujral of Shiromani Akali Dal, Sanjay Raut of Shivsena, Sanjay Singh of Aam Admi Party, along with many leaders of TDP, DMK, YSR Congress and TRS.

    As per sources, the political agenda was clearly discussed at the dinner table with a call for improvement on Congress leadership to put up a strong front against the ruling BJP-led government.

    “While Omar Abdullah questioned what steps were being taken to strengthen the Congress and stated that whenever the Congress is strong, the opposition becomes stronger, Sharad Pawar extended support to the G-23 leaders and said that we are with you in terms of whatever you are doing inside and outside your party,” sources said.

    The sources further informed that a section of leaders from Opposition parties also raised the issue of “no leadership in the Congress party” if they are willing to extend their support at the national front.

    “TMC leader Derek O’ Brien said that on one hand, Congress fights against TMC in West Bengal, on the other hand, the party wants TMC to be on board with them in Centre. A BJP leader also raised the issue of unclear leadership in the party and said, “there are issues in which we feel that we can align with Congress but whom should we talk to?” sources said.

    “YSR representative also said they are ready to forget the things in the past for the betterment of the country. Even Shiromani Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral said his party can be united on the farmer’s issue,” they added.

    They added that Akhilesh Yadav and Lalu Yadav also stressed the need for strong and united opposition against BJP while both leaders added that Congress should use the experience of senior leaders like Kapil Sibal.

    The timing of the meeting is also interesting when the monsoon session of Parliament has few days left and opposition has tried to show unity when it comes to taking on Central Government on the issues like Pegasus, Farmers Agitation, and Inflation.

    But it’s more alarming for the Congress Party which is trying to showcase and built-up the leadership of Rahul Gandhi as the Wayanad MP is leading the Opposition.

    Rahul Gandhi hosted a breakfast for Opposition Party leaders at the Constitution Club in Delhi, a few days back and Congress Party had claimed in a press conference that it’s a picture of 2024.

    However, the gathering at Sibal’s residence has been organized on a day when Rahul Gandhi is in Srinagar.

  • Trouble in Congress? Party leader takes jibe over non-inclusion of G-23 in campaigners’ list

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit has taken potshots at his party for not including ‘infamous’ G-23 in the party’s star campaigners list for ensuing West Bengal and Assam Assembly elections, saying if the high command thinks that 30 leaders selected for campaigning are enough to win the polls ‘then it’s good, what’s the need for other leaders’.

    “It’s up to the high command to include leaders in the list. If they think that 30 leaders included in the star campaigners list can make a difference then it’s good. If the party thinks that these 30 leaders are enough to campaign and win elections then why any other leader is needed for the campaign,” said Dikshit when asked why senior leaders like Gulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibbal and Manish Tiwari were not included in Congress’ star campaigner list for West Bengal polls.

    He said that initially when these dissenters i.e. G-23 group of Congress leaders were rallying in Jammu on February 28, they were lectured by the family loyalists to campaign in poll-bound states but now their names have not been included in the campaigners’ list.

    “If the high command has decided that these leaders (whose names are in the campaigner list) are capable of campaigning then why any other senior leader should be included in the list.”

    ALSO READ | Kerala polls: Fresh faces in ‘better’ list, women’s expectation falls flat for Congress candidature

    Prominent G-23 members including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal and Manish Tewari have not been included in the Congress list of star campaigners for West Bengal assembly elections.

    The list of 30-star campaigners includes Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sachin Pilot, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Abhijit Mukherjee and Mohammad Azharuddin.

    Other Congress leaders: former Union minister Salman Khurshid, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel, Mukul Wasnik, party’s Assam in-charge Jitendra Singh, Vikas Upadhyay, Anirudh Singh, Mohan Prakash, former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Nabam Tuki, former Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr Mukul Sangma, Rameshwar Oraon, party’s state chief Ripun Bora, Debabrata Saikia, Paban Singh Ghatowar, MPs Gaurav Gogoi, Pradyut Bordoloi, All India Mahila Congress president Sushmita Dev, Rakibul Hussain are among the star campaigners list.

    After the Jammu rally, Gulam Nabi Azad had told ANI that if the party asks him to campaign during the polls, he will campaign for the party and for the individual candidates who will invite him.

    However, by not including the name of the G-23 leaders and adding names of other party leaders, Congress has indirectly given a message to them. The dissenters have said that Congress is “weakening” and they are raising their voice for the betterment of the party.

    ALSO READ | Kerala polls: Denied seat, Kerala Mahila Congress chief tonsures her head

    A senior Congress leader who addressed the ‘Gandhi Global Family Program’, on condition of anonymity, told ANI, “We raised concerns but we were asked if we are worried for the party we should campaign in the poll-bound states. But now we are not included in the list we can’t do anything we can’t go for the campaign as the expense will get included in the candidate’s account.”

    Twenty-three Congress leaders, referred to as G-23, had in August last written to Sonia Gandhi calling for “full-time and effective leadership” and internal elections including to Congress Working Committee.

  • Congress is weakening, ‘G-23’ has come together to strengthen it: Dissenters at Jammu meet

    By PTI
    JAMMU: In a public show of dissent, the ‘G-23’ leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Kapil Sibal, who have been pressing for a leadership change and organisational overhaul in the Congress, gathered on one stage here on Saturday, saying the party is weakening and they have come together to strengthen it.

    “It is an occasion to speak the truth and I will speak the truth. Why have we gathered here? The truth is we can see that the Congress is weakening. We had gathered earlier also and together we have to strengthen the Congress,” Sibal said addressing an event dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

    The event was also attended by several other Congress leaders like Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Manish Tewari, Vivek Tankha and Raj Babbar of the group, now called ‘G-23′, which had triggered a storm in the party last year with their letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, expressing unhappiness over its functioning and demanding a full-time party president.

    The Congress leaders praised Azad for his contribution, with Sibal saying he is unable to understand why the party is not using the experience of a person like him.

    Azad, who was among the vocal letter-writers and was not given a renomination after his Rajya Sabha tenure ended recently, said he has only retired from the Upper House and not from politics.

    He was the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

    Asked about the Jammu meet of the leaders, the Congress said they were senior and highly respected members of the party and their best contribution to the Congress’ cause would be to get active in five poll-bound states and strengthen the party there.

    However, it did not comment on the leaders’ concern over the “weakening” of the Congress.

    In Jammu, Anand Sharma echoed his party colleague Sibal saying that the party has weakened over the last decade.

    ALSO READ | Congress again on brink of split, will start from J&K this time around: BJP

    He said none of the leaders present there have come into the party through shortcuts and nobody has the right to tell “if we are Congressmen or not”.

    He said they can visit any part of India and have come here to send a message that they are thankful for Azad’s contribution and are standing with him A party can make you an office-bearer but only a few who are recognised by the people go on to become leaders, he said at the event, where the Congress leaders, wearing saffron headgears, posed for pictures.

    Hooda said there are two kinds of people in Congress.

    “Some who are in Congress and others like Azad who have Congress in them.”

    “All of us have covered a very long distance to reach where we are today. We have not come from above, through the window or the skylight, all of us have walked through the door. We have come through the students’ movement and the youth movement,” Anand Sharma said.

    “I have not given anyone the right to tell me if we are Congressmen or not. Nobody has that right. We will build the party. We will strengthen it. When the Congress is united, it will also raise the morale of the people of the country,” he said.

    This is the first time that the dissenters have together publicly vent out their anger and comes ahead of elections in Kerala, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

    “I have no hesitation in saying an organisation can give you an office. The Congress can make you an office-bearer but not every office-bearer can become a leader. Only some become leaders, those who are recognised by the people, not just in one state but far off in Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, UP and Karnataka,” Sharma said.

    Former Haryana chief minister Hooda said only when the Congress and the opposition are strengthened, will the country be strengthened.

    Babbar said the ‘G-23’ stands for “Mahatma Gandhi’s 23”.

    “With their firm resolve, Mahatma Gandhi’s 23 will work to strengthen Congress and make Congress victorious,” the former UP Congress chief said.

    ALSO READ | Congress looking for much-needed wins in upcoming assembly polls with the help of allies

    Sibal said they came here to take forward the Congress party to new heights.

    “We promise those who are sitting here and many more who are outside and support us, that we will work to strengthen the party.”

    “We want Congress to be strengthened in every district of the country. We do not want Congress to be weak because if Congress is weak, the nation will be weak. We will sacrifice whatever necessary to make the nation and the party strong,” he said.

    The Congress leaders also supported the demand for restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.

    Later, speaking to reporters, Azad said that the party has weakened over the years and they will work to strengthen it.