‘Cong will fight polls in 5 states with full might’
JAMMU: Former Rajya Sabha member and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday said the Congress will contest the upcoming assembly elections in four states and one union territory with full might and try its best to win.
“Congress will contest the elections in four states and a UT with full might. The party will campaign collectively as a cohesive unit with the aim to win,” he told reporters outside the party headquarters here.
West Bengal, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Assam will go to the polls in a phased manner soon.
On possibility of his return to Jammu and Kashmir politics following his retirement from the Rajya Sabha, he said he was in national politics of India and that included J&K.
At the party office, Azad was received by J&K Congress president GA Mir, former minister Mula Ram and other senior leaders.while addressing Congress leaders, including former ministers, Azad advised them to strengthen the party.
Referring to his long experience in the party, Azad said the present times were more challenging and every Congressman should put in concerted efforts.
He ruled out any differences within the party at any levels and said there could be some differences of perceptions but not the goal. The aim is to suggest ways to strengthen the organisation and promote talent at various levels.
Taking potshots at the BJP,
Azad said the difference between Congress and the saffron party’s ideologies was that the former believed in uniting the society by respecting diversity , while the latter was used to creating hatred and division.
Earlier around 1pm, Azad arrived in Jammu to a rousing reception at the airport by party leaders and workers. He is here on a three-day visit.
Former legislative assembly speaker Tara Chand, former J&K Congress president Peerzada Mohammad Sayed, former minister GM Saroori, Jugal Kishore, Ghulam Nabi Monga, Subhash Gupta and Naresh Gupta had lined up on the airport road to welcome Azad.
During his three-day visit, Azad will be attending social and religious functions of Gandhi Global Family, Guru Ravi Dass Sabha and Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust before returning to Delhi on Sunday.
When PM Modi got emotional while talking about the senior Congress leader in Parliament, there were speculations that the latter might join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Modi heaped praise on Azad and called him a leader who cared for his party, country, and Parliament.
However, in an interview with the HT days before his retirement, Azad said, “I will join the BJP when we have black snow in Kashmir.”
He said he has known Modi since the 90s when they would participate in TV debates. He added they fought, and even shared a cup of tea. Azad maintained that those who say he will join the BJP or spread these rumours did not know him.