Face odds like Indira, Azad tells Congmen, leaders

MEERUT: Celebrating former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birth centenary year, senior Congress leaders organised a function here on Wednesday.

Speaking about the party’s achievements since the country’s independence, the leaders also attacked the ruling BJP.

Party national general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad, state president Raj Babbar and senior leaders Mohsina Kidwai, PL Poonia, Pramod Tiwari, Meem Afzal, Somansh Prakash and Naseeb Pathan were present.

Addressing workers from nine districts of western UP, they spoke about the dynamic leadership of Indira Gandhi and her efforts to build a strong India.

Referring to PM Narendra Modi as ‘ TV wala prime minister’, Azad also came down heavily on turncoats.

“They (turncoats) don’t understand the value of ideology and look for personal benefits,” he said while recalling the contributions of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

“Nationalisation of 14 private banks in 1969 and the formation of Bangladesh were two major achievements of Indira Gandhi,” said Azad, as he called upon party workers and leaders to “face all odds with strength” just as the former PM did.

He also advised the gathering to read about the life of leaders like Indira, Pt Nehru, Maulana Azad, Sardar Patel and others to understand their ideology.

Meanwhile, Raj Babbar accused the BJP of “stealing 19 out of 23 schemes of the Congress-led UPA government” and running them under new names.