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| Replay of 2001 reception, as Azad ‘revisits’ Jammu | | |
Zafar Choudhary
Jammu, June 10: In a sunny and sweltering afternoon when temperature was soaring to new heights, it was a virtual human chain flanked by fresh flowers and buntings from civil airport to the state guest house, as veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad arrived the home state capital after his induction in the Union Cabinet.
This rare scene displayed by the Congress leaders and activists was an improved replay of April 2001 when Azad had come to Jammu to take over as president of state Congress unit –a first assignment in the home state after two and half decades of top roles at national political scene. Next year he returned the then moribund Congress to a lead role in Jammu and Kashmir but the subsequent years remained a story of ups and downs even as he donned the mettle of state Chief Minister in November 2005.
Despite his over-efficient governance focused on fast track development mechanism, Azad’s tenure as Chief Minister was marked with several bitter experience particularly for a constant row with the coalition partner Peoples Democratic Party. The lowest point was marked with break out of Amarnath land row which led to his resignation as Chief Minister on July 7, 2008.
The next two months state was engulfed in flames and even the most trusted party colleagues of Azad did not take much time in shifting loyalties as the state Congress was being clearly seen divided between two factions –the other apparently led by Saif-ud-Din Soz. Many in the Congress preferred to stay on right side of Soz as he was seen at that time state’s most powerful man in New Delhi –a Minister in Union Cabinet, president of State Congress and member of the Congress Working Committee.
Credits of such loyalties could be seen in ticket distribution for the assembly elections last year when many leaders considered close to Azad were denied tickets and instead hopeless contestants were preferred. Ashok Sharma in Kalakote and Balwan Singh in Marh are two examples. It is then no wonder that both are back to Congress via Azad.
Azad’s reappointment as Congress General Secretary earlier this year and then charge of key states like Tamil Nadu and Orissa rechristened his way to the top echelons in the organizational hierarchy of Congress which he held for more than two decades. Last month when he took oath of Minister in the first batch of swearing in along with the Prime Minister, the Congress leadership left very little doubt that Azad is indispensable.
On his arrival in Jammu this afternoon, the splinters of past years coaxed up together to be back on the right side of Azad. Since morning large number of supporters of Azad and senior state congress leaders had started assembling at the Jammu airport to accord him warm welcome.
In the afternoon when Azad emerged out of the airport gate he was greeted by hundreds of supporters and party workers who were praising him by shouting slogans in his honour. Carrying party flags large number of party workers who had gained entry inside the airport also garlanded him with marigold flowers. Dressed in safari suit Azad waved at the crowds and acknowledged their sweet gesture with folded hands.
From Jammu airport the former chief minister credited for carrying out fast track developmental works during his tenure was escorted to Circuit house in a cavalcde where large number of delegations called on him and submitted separate memorandums.
On way he offered tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Satwari crossing and greeted party workers who braved blazing sun to come closer to their reverred leaders at various important landmarks.
Senior party leaders including congress parliamentarians and state cabinet ministers were also present in large numbers and also faced hardships as rush of party workers swelled with each passing minute. Azad's visit to Jammu has gained significance in view of the expected second round of cabinet expansion.
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