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| Let Azad lead Congress in ensuing polls battle in J&K not as CM candidate | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, June 21: Notwithstanding his defeat in the recent Lok Sabha Polls from Udhampur-Kathua constituency Ghulam Nabi Azad continues to be the tallest Congress leader in Jammu and Kashmir. His stature, despite his defeat, has not registered any fall which is evident from the way the party high command nominated him as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
Apart from this well deserved elevation Azad continues to be treated with respect by the Congress high command which does not take any major decision without seeking opinion from the former Union Health Minister.
Yes,if the state unit of the Congress has any plan to nominate any leader to be the party's Chief Ministerial candidate during the ensuing Assembly polls Ghulam Nabi Azad is treated as the most suitable person. Before the Congress high command casts its dice in favour of Azad there are a number of questions that deserve consideration from the AICC leadership before any decision on nominating Azad as the party's Chief Ministerial candidate was taken.
First of all it necessary or mandatory for the party to nominate its Chief Ministerial candidate? It is neither necessary nor mandatory for the party. And the latest example is that from the Congress high command which did not emulate the BJP, which had nominated Narendra Modi as its Prime Ministerial candidate during the recent Lok Sabha polls by nominating either Rahul Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi as the party's Prime Ministerial candidate.
The Congress entered the battle of ballot without any Prime Ministerial candidate despite the fact that number of Congress stalwarts wanted Rahul Gandhi to be nominated as party's Prime Ministerial candidate. The Congress played safe. Had the Congress nominated Rahul Gandhi as its Prime Ministerial candidate the scion of Gandhi dynasty would have lost his face. He won the election from Amethi constituency though the party lost the polls and power.
Secondly, What is the guarantee that Azad would be installed as Chief Minister even if the next Assembly poll threw up a hung House ? Yes, in case the Assembly polls threw up a hung House Congress will be able to act as Government maker. It can form the Government in alliance either with the PDP or with the NC. But the political arrangement that was finalized in 2002 and 2009 had placed the Congress in the back seat. In 2002 under the agreement with the PDP Mufti Mohd. Sayeed, was installed as Chief Minister for three years and for the remaining three years the Congress candidate, Ghulam Nabi Azad, headed the Government. Azad led Government could not complete its full three-year term because the PDP withdrew its support. In 2009 the NC leadership insisted that it should be allowed to head the Government for the full six-years term and the Congress accepted it.
Thirdly, Ghulam Nabi Azad has to contest the Assembly polls if he was to be the party's Chief Ministerial candidate. Suppose he lost the election, though possibilities are bleak, it may be an end to his political career. Yes, he could lead the Government, even a coalition Government, as a Member of the Legislative Council. But if he contests the Assembly polls and loses the election giving him a chance to lead the Government by virtue of becoming a member of the Upper House may be undemocratic.
Well not many agree with M.L. Fotedar's view that since Azad had lost the Lok Sabha polls he could not be nominated as party's Chief Ministerial candidate. Azad has every right to fight the Assembly polls and get elected to the Lower House. But there are many "ifs" and "buts" in the entire calculation of the Congress party. It would be better for Azad to lead the party in the ensuing election as a senior candidate and not as party's Chief Ministerial candidate.
As party's Chief Ministerial candidate he may further cement groupism. If as a senior leader he leads the Congress campaign he could get the support of the rival group also. |
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