Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 17: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s emotional farewell to Leader of Opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad on February 9, has come as a blessing for the Congress leader as he is back to spotlight on Kashmir politics.
Sources also said the leaders from the so called Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration or PAGD, look ahead to hold talks with him over the future of the alliance in “achieving its goals especially with regard to restoration of statehood.”
While the Congress is not the member of the PAGD, some of the leaders from the regional parties like National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party are of the opinion that the alliance should discuss the demand for restoration of the statehood with Azad on priority.
“See when he (Modi) appreciates him (Azad), there is every likelihood that he(Modi) will listen to his pleas for restoration of statehood and thus we should count on him(Azad),” said a senior politician. It is pertinent to mention that Azad was the only leader among those from Jammu and Kashmir, who during the Parliament session asked the Modi government to restore statehood by tabling a bill in this regard.
Interestingly, when Azad spoke for restoration of statehood in the Parliament, most of the regional leaders from Kashmir stayed silent. But the change came after Modi’s appreciation for Azad.
At the Parliament, Modi had recalled his long association with Azad. “There was a terrorist attack and eight people in Gujarat were killed. The first call I received was from Ghulam Nabi ji. The call was not just to inform me of the incident, but his tears were not stopping on the phone. It was of concern, like a family member,” said Modi, who had tears in his eyes as he stopped midway during his speech.
Azad was the chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir during the terror attack.
Showering praises on Azad, the Prime Minister said: “I am worried. The person who will replace Ghulam Nabi ji (as Leader of Opposition) will have difficulty matching his work because he was not only concerned about his party but also about the country and the House”. |
