Congress has never be-fooled the people: Azad

‘Secularism’ is the strength of prosperous nations

Doda/Kishtwar, Apr 8: Cautioning the people to beware from divisive forces that are hell bent to create confusion among masses, just to grab power, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday described erstwhile Doda district as miniature of secular India and appealed the people to cast their votes to strengthen the secular forces.

“Only those nations prosper, where secularism exists,” he pin pointed.

Contesting Lok Sabha elections from Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary constituency Ghulam Nabi Azad, during his campaign in the higher reaches of Doda and Kishtwar districts addressed various public meetings today and said that much before the announcements of Lok Sabha elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) started propaganda to divert the attention of the masses, which they call wave in befooling the people, now evident nowhere.

Lambasting BJP for its lust to come in power by hoodwinking the innocent people of the country, Azad said that “the population of Chenab basin that comprises the Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Banihal belts is a symbol of secularism. “Only secularism can ensure development,” he said.

He called upon the people to counter the divisive moves of certain political parties, which are least bothered about the addressing the miseries of the people and instead they (political parties) have just one hidden agenda i.e. to befool the people on the name of religion and caste and exploit their votes. “Number of Hydro power projects worth thousands of crores of rupees has been made functional while number of such projects is in the process of its completion and shall be made functional in near future. Thousands of persons have been provided employment under MNREGA. These are some pointers to the fact that Congress at centre and NC-Congress coalition government here in Jammu and Kashmir have been consistently working for the overall development of the state especially the far-flung belts of the state,” highlighted Ghulam Nabi Azad further adding that “through these projects we have tried to provide employment avenues to people of these hilly areas. We must thank Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who ensured record development in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said

“Congress has never be-fooled the people; it’s presence was always at grass roots level and will remain in future as well, with its commitment and dedication towards welfare of the people”, said Azad further adding, “using different means as a bait to get the votes, but what matters is the work and development for the general public which gets counted”.

“Congress is seeking the votes on the developmental plank to make the nation prosperous on the ideology of the secularism where all are equal in every dimension, rather than opting policy to disintegrate the people on the basis of caste creed and colour, he added.

Mr. Azad also appreciates MLA Saroori for his honest approach in dealing with political and development affairs adding that he is magnanimous personality and is doing justice with his work.

Talking about the state’s development, Ghulam Nabi Azad highlighted that the Congress-NC coalition government led by chief minister Omar Abdullah, with the backing of UPA has brought a revolution in various sectors and creation of new administrative units.

Yet despite that some political parties, in a lust to grab power are hell bent to divert the attention of the people and cautioned the people not to fall prey to the propagandas of such parties, who will destabilized the peace and prosperity.

In hilly areas, developmental works takes a lot of time. But even then, the developmental works are on and would be completed soon, Ghulam Nabi Azad said, further adding that "It is Congress which, keeping in view the problems and plight of the people have initiated people oriented projects. There has been record development in the past 10 years' rule of Congress led UPA-I and UPA-II.

Among others who accompanied Ghulam Nabi Azad included Congress Minister for R&B Abdul Majid Wani, former Minister and sitting MLA from Inderwal Assembly segment, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, Former Minister Babu Singh, MLA, Mohammad Sharief Niaz, MLC, Naresh Gupta, former MLC and senior NC leader Brij Mohan Sharma, Mushtaq Ahmed Hap, Advocate Aslam Goni, Sheikh Mujeeb, Mohd Iqbal all the sarpanches, panches workers, people in large came to listen Azad.