Jammu: Former Congress chief Ghulam Nabi Azad says there ought to’ve been an effort to “Congress Jodo” earlier than the continued Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi. “If your personal home shouldn’t be so as, how are you going to muster help from people who find themselves not with you? First you ought to be united,” he mentioned in an interview with ThePrint.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra is being seen as a revival of the Congress, Azad says that one can’t say this till the states Rahul Gandhi visited goes to elections. “Solely electoral outcomes can decide whether or not it’s been a revival,” he mentioned.
However the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir claimed that there’s infighting occurring within the Congress in all of the states. Citing examples of Rajasthan and Kerala, he mentioned that the infighting prevails no matter whether or not the celebration is in energy.
He resigned from the Congress earlier this 12 months. In his resignation letter he slammed the then celebration president Rahul Gandhi, mentioned “inexperienced sycophants” ran the celebration and that it had reached a “level of no return”.
In September, lower than a month after the resignation, he introduced the formation of a brand new celebration, Democratic Azad Celebration. He vehemently opposed the concept that his celebration is related to the BJP and talked of his help for Article 370.
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‘Unbiased particular person, no person’s B-team’
When requested a couple of potential alliance with the BJP sooner or later, Azad mentioned, “There is no such thing as a query of being related to the BJP. There is no such thing as a query of getting any observe with the BJP”.
“I’m an unbiased particular person,” he mentioned, hitting again on the accusations that he’s “BJP’s B-Workforce”.
Azad mentioned that state events who’re accusing him of aligning with the BJP are those that themselves have been “immediately or not directly related to BJP”. He claimed that they’re participating on this mudslinging as a result of they see him as a risk.
He additionally criticised those that centered on Modi’s emotional farewell to him in Rajya Sabha when he retired because the Chief of Opposition, saying that those that spotlight which have “different pursuits”.
“Why are they highlighting solely what the Prime Minister spoke about me, there have been 24 events who’ve spoken for me. They spoke in a lot stronger phrases about me. Does that imply that I’m becoming a member of them,” he requested.
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Article 370 ‘not unhealthy’
The Jammu and Kashmir chief is of the opinion that Article 370 was “not unhealthy”. Article 370 gave particular standing to the state, together with having its personal structure. It was abrogated on 5 August 2019.
“Article 370 is essential and I’m of the opinion that it was not unhealthy. How can something that has been a part of the Indian structure for 70 years be unhealthy,” he requested, including that it was by no means in opposition to Indian curiosity.
Azad mentioned it’s potential for it to be reinstated and offered two potential methods by way of which it may be achieved, “One is a parliamentary majority and the opposite is the Supreme Courtroom taking a beneficial resolution.”
The way forward for his celebration and state
Two months into his new function as president of the Democratic Azad Celebration, he mentioned that the response from throughout the spectrum has been heartening. “The going is excellent, throughout the state, throughout the areas and throughout sub-regions.”
He mentioned that individuals help him as a result of he has been steadfast in his beliefs all through his political profession. “All by way of my life I’ve by no means believed in communalism or regionalism or casteism.”
His imaginative and prescient for the celebration is inextricably tied to his picture as a “doer”.
“I’ve been a 24×7 chief minister and union minister, who would work in triple shifts and make officers additionally work in triple shifts. If given an opportunity, there shall be a revival of double shifts,” he mentioned.
Azad is making a robust push for election in Jammu & Kashmir. The state has not had an elected authorities for the previous 4 years. Azad says that it’s ”excessive time” to herald elected representatives.
“Forms can’t run the federal government for years collectively. This isn’t their job,” he mentioned.
“We have now already waited for nearly 5 years, elections ought to have occurred inside six months of the dissolution of the meeting in 2018. Individuals from throughout the state are struggling,” mentioned Azad.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)
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