Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 30: Union Health Minister and senior All India Congress Committee (AICC) leader Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that there was no Modi wave in J&K and Congress-National Conference alliance would win all the six Parliamentary seats in the State.
Addressing large public rallies at Katra, Reasi and Arnas today, Mr Azad who is contesting Kathua-Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat said there is Article 370 in the State and the Modi factor does not work at all in the Jammu and Kashmir. He said here in J&K, its Congress and NC Coalition Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah which has worked day and night and ensured the over all development of all the three regions of the State. Some political Pandits may be projecting Modi factor, but in real sense there is no such wave at all. The people raking up such issue and projecting Modi wave, may be in the ‘air only’ but on the ground the things are different, he maintained.
Congress Party has ensured over all development in the State and the country, whether it is power sector, education, health, rural development, road connectivity or water supply. On the basis of development ensured in the country, the Congress is now going to the people for seeking votes. He claimed that UPA-III would come to power again as UPA-II had emerged stronger than UPA-I on the basis of votes secured.
Giving some details, Mr Azad said UPA Government has set up 51,000 new big and small hospitals/ dispensaries while in last five year over 35000 new hospitals/ medical colleges have been established. In just last five years the Congress led UPA Government has raised power projects with the power potential of 20,000 MW. It could not be done even in last 60 years, after securing independence. Not only this, the UPA Government has provided employment to over 13 crore people under MGNREGA in the country. Not only this, a large number of Medical and other Colleges/ Universities and schools have been given by the Congress led Government.
Referring to the massive support to the State Government from Centre, the Union Minister said many road, rail, urban development, sanitation projects have been sanctioned to the State. Congress led Government ensured better development in all the region. “Those who come from outside, will be seen only during elections and will disappear when this process is over. We belong to this place, better know about the miseries/ problems of the people and local issues. We will provide basic facilities and ensure development while the outsiders ( BJP) will only make hollow claims in their rallies and disappear. They have nothing to do here,” the AICC leader maintained.
With out naming BJP, Mr Azad said some people are in habit of exploiting people on the name of religion, region and caste but the Congress always stood for secularism, amity, peace and development. They only raise the communal issues for their vote bank but the Congress goes to the people on the name of development. He cautioned the people to remain cautious against the designs of such forces which divide the society on the communal and regional lines and strengthen Congress for stronger India.
Mr Azad said before the formation of UPA-I, Atal Behari Vajpayee started ‘India Shining’ campaign to divert the public attention, despite that the people showed their enthusiasm and voted for Congress. Parallel to this, BJP again played gimmicks but people casted their votes for congress and UPA-II was formed with more vote margin.
Recalling the people of Reasi and Katra about their 35 year-old struggle of getting district status for Reasi, Mr Azad said when he was Chief Minister in the Congress led Coalition Government, Reasi was accorded district status. The then veteran BJP leader and former MLA Rishi Kumar Kaushal who led a long agitation had vowed not to cut his beard till Reasi gets district. It was he who facilitated Mr Kaushal after he announced district and organised a function at Reasi where Kaushal family was specially invited and the veteran and staunch BJP leader was requested to shave his beard. Mr Azad said besides Reasi seven other districts were created. Now, a large number of new administrative units have been given in the State. Panchayats were strengthened by implementing 73rd Amendment. He pointed out that five new Medical Colleges, two Central Universities, new hospitals, ITI, many roads under PMGSY, Rail project to Kashmir, power infrastructure under RGGVY etc are the contributions of UPA Government. He said that due to some technical snag, the commission of rail up to Katra has been delayed. Now before next Assembly elections, the train would reach Katra Mata Vaishnodevi. The State has hardly budget of Rs 8500 crore but the Centre has provided over Rs 20,000 crore just for the Railway line project to the State.
Former Minister and senior NC leader S S Slathia, Minister of State for Revenue Aijaz Khan, former Minister and Congress legislator from Katra Jugal Kishore Sharma, NC leader and former Minister Jagjivan Lal, local NC leader Sardar Lal Dubey also addressed gathering. Surinder Kumar Sharma (advocate) and former Councilor KMC, acted as stage secretary.
Earlier, after reaching at Udhampur in train, Utter Sampark Kranti from Delhi, Mr Azad accompanied by Jugal Kishore Sharma and other senior District Congress Committee leaders Brij Mohan Sharma, B S Slathia, Ashwani Khajuria etc started road show from Udhampur town. Mr Azad was heavily garlanded and was mounted on a decorated open vehicle ( Rath). He was accompanied by many Congress workers carrying party banners and placards. The cavalcade started towards Katra. On the way at Chopra Shop, Ghari, Rehmbal, Tikri and Panthal, Mr Azad was accorded rousing reception by the party workers and general public. From Panthal about 100 bikers escorted the Rath of Azad up to the rally venue at Bus Stand. Thousands of party workers and other people were waiting for the VIP at the rally ground. He addressed his rally at Arnas after Reasi and then reached Dharmari for night halt late in the evening. Mr Azad would address public rallies at Mahore, Sajru and Gool tomorrow and reach Ramban in the evening.
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