news details |
|
|
| Shrewd politician Azad keeps AICC waiting, awaits 'better bargain' | | Doda-Udhampur Lok Sabha elections | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, Mar 10: Pressure is being built on Congress high command to declare ex-Chief Minister and Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad candidate from Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary constituency but being a shrewd politician, the ex-Chief Minister seemingly wants a better deal than what is being offered to him.
Especially at a time, when he has managed to retain the position that had suffered a huge dent after the 2008 Amarnath land row, Azad seemingly wants New Delhi to allow him a free hand in Jammu and Kashmir, something which he always had until the present Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz took over. Soz asserted and ensured that JKPCC does not remain subservient to interests of one single leader who operated from New Delhi, a senior party functionary said.
He added that Azad is none to second in New Delhi now. In these changed circumstances, sources said that Azad is unlikely to accept the mandate for Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary constituency unless he gets a better deal clicked with the high command. A senior leader from Doda said, "I am surprised why he is refusing when he knows well that he would win the Lok Sabha seat without even campaigning personally. There are political reasons behind this."
Another Congress leader who is considered close to Azad said, "High command cannot take Azad Sahib for a ride. They have disappointed him on several occasions. Now, why should he fight someone else's battle? Let the JKPCC find a candidate and win the seat." He stressed that unless the high command does not give reigns of J&K into hands of Azad sahib, he should neither return nor contest Lok Sabha elections from Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary constituency.
However, sources said that sitting Ministers as well as MLAs, MLCs of Congress have put up a united face and are pleading through various channels in New Delhi for replacement of sitting MP Choudhary Lal Singh with some other credible face. If the face is Ghulam Nabi Azad, they have opined that Congress would have a cakewalk in Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary constituency, where polarization is at its peak.
Azad is regarded as undisputed leader on Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary constituency; the leaders have told several office bearers of All India Congress Committee (AICC). Interestingly, sources said that Azad has found friends in National Conference (NC) who have been supporting his candidature and using their contacts in New Delhi to ensure that AICC declares him as candidate on Doda-Udhampur constituency.
However, Azad has so far refused to accept the responsibility, citing responsibilities which the party has put on his shoulders.
Sources disclosed that Azad would like to have a better bargain. "Party mandate is no issue for Azad but as a politician, he seemingly would like to create a situation where Congress would be left with no option but to assure Azad that he would have his way when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir. He has faced stiff opposition from JKPCC chief and that too for the first time since he started his political career vis-a-vis Kashmir," added a source.
"A man who would decide Congress Chief Ministers for various states, make or mar fortunes of leaders from across the country and was considered closest to the Congress high command (which essentially means Gandhi family) had to face an assertive JKPCC chief who often took fights with him over party affairs. And what seemingly irked Azad was AICC backing decisions of Soz. Now is the time to exhibit highest form of shrewdness," a top Congress leader in New Delhi said.
"There is a belief in Azad camp that Modi wave would sweep Congress out of J&K and put JKPCC chief Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz in a tight spot, who has already assured AICC of winning all the seats which Congress would contest in J&K. This would create an embarrassing situation and if history of Congress is taken into account, axe would fall on JKPCC chief," added sources. Once this is done, Azad would nominate man of his choice in Jammu and Kashmir, asserted sources. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
