| Azad urges people to rebuff polarization business, chart on new path | | |  Earrly Times Report
Jammu, Dec 12: Asserting that Congress-led Government will take up the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-ravaged State of Jammu & Kashmir in a mission mode, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha & Former Chief Minister of J&K, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that Congress Party, if voted to power, will take immediate steps to alleviate the sufferings of the flood affected people of the State. Ghulam Nabi Azad was addressing election meetings in Bijbhera, Pahalgam, Shangus, Anantnag and Dooru Assembly constituencies of South Kashmir. G A Mir, Sitting MLA & contesting candidate, Advocate Manzoor Ahmad Ganai, Contesting candidate, Gulzar Wani, Contesting candidate, Irfan Ahmad Kullar, contesting candidate & Hilal Shah, contesting candidate were also present. While speaking in the huge public meetings, Azad emphasized that Congress-led Government, in view of its proven credentials in the rehabilitation and reconstruction work, alone will be in the interest of the State at this juncture to wipe out the tears of the suffering humanity. He said that if people show confidence in the Congress Party, immediate steps will be taken to revive the flood-ravaged economy, rehabilitate the flood affected people and reconstruct the battered infrastructure like roads, hospitals, schools, colleges, power distribution network, drinking water systems, etc. "We will work on war footing basis to ameliorate the sufferings of flood affected people, like we did during 2005 earthquake", said Azad. Azad said that the regional parties neither have vision and agenda to address the day-to-day issues faced by common man, nor have the will and credentials to deliver on the promise of governance and development, and therefore, are compelled to divert the attention of the people by raking up emotional, divisive and polarizing issues. Urging the people not to get befooled by the sterile rhetoric of regional parties, Azad said that Congress has the capacity and will to script a new chapter of progress and prosperity in the State due to its inclusive agenda and pan Jammu & Kashmir presence. Questioning the credentials of the regional parties to fight the divisive agenda of BJP, Azad said that it is a apt case of "square peg in a round hole", for they are the one who give grist to the polarizing agenda of communal forces in the State. "Communal forces have been buttressed by the regional parties by their narrow and divisive politics for exploiting the sentiments of the people to sustain themselves in power, and they are one who are responsible for keeping the State on a powder-keg all the time", said Azad. He said, "J&K has seen enough of polarization politics being carried out by BJP, PDP & NC. Let's now call off this business of polarization, as people of the State want to progress; youth want to have bright careers. We have to make our State a modern, progressive and prosperous State of the country", said Azad adding that the inclusive agenda propagated by Congress Party alone can bridge the divide. Azad called upon the enlightened citizens of the State to ponder and introspect about the future of the State as well as its youth, and accordingly make concerted efforts to create a new narrative of harmony and amity, as the goal of progress of the State will be impeded by persistent tension and disunity. Asserting that the noteworthy initiatives, like creation of Chenab Valley Power Projects Corporation (CVPPC), introduction of international tariff-based bidding, etc., taken by the Congress-led Government to harness the potential of hydel power will be taken forward with renewed enthusiasm and fresh approach, Azad said that immediate steps will be taken to realize the dream of making J&K State a power-surplus State. Seeking support of the people in this noble endeavour, Azad said that, if people of the State will repose confidence in Congress Party, the sloth and inertia of past six years will be shed in a few months time and once again, the State of Jammu & Kashmir will be kicking on the path of advancement and progress, with thrust on equitable allocation of resources. Making a fervent appeal to the people of the State in general and enlightened gentry in particular, Azad said that the challenge of scripting a bright future for the people of the State is not an easy one, and to measure upto it, it is the duty of all the citizens of the State to elect a credible and responsible Government at this crucial juncture. "Congress is asking for a decisive mandate on the plank of development and good governance, and not on the basis of hollow slogans and emotional blackmail", remarked Azad. |
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