KL Report
SRINAGAR
Asserting that remote, backward and far flung areas of the State for the first time got serious and undiminished attention of the State Government during the Cong-led Govt. from 2006 to 2008, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha & Former Chief Minister of J&K Ghulam Nabi Azad said that equitable, balanced & speedy development of the State became agenda of governance and dominant discourse during the Congress rule only.
Seeking a decisive mandate from the people of J&K in order to revive the development activities with renewed thrust, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that Congress-led Govt. can ensure continuity and momentum to development and progress in the State of J&K.
According to a statement issued to KNS Ghulam Nabi Azad was speaking in public meetings in Gurez, Tangdhar & Lolab in support of the candidate of Congress Party. People in thousands had gathered to receive and greet Ghulam Nabi Azad, as his contribution for the advancement and upliftment of remote & far flung areas is deeply acknowledged by the people of these remote border belts.
Ambika Soni, General Secretary Incharge J&K and Prof. Saif-ud-din Soz, PCC President also accompanied Azad to galvanize public support in favour of Congress Party and its candidates.
Ruing the utter neglect and deprivation that the remote and backward areas like Gurez, Tangdhar and Lolab suffered till 2006, Azad said thata concerted effort to uplift and develop these areas during his tenure as Chief Minister was made, adding the same script of neglect is being repeated since 2008.
“Whatever developmental activities were initiated during his tenure as Chief Minister, nothing new has been added since then, as people are best judges to draw the distinction”, said Azad.
Appealing the voters to give a decisive mandate to Congress Party for sustained and visible change in the developmental landscape of the State, Azad asked how long do we need to deprive the remote and backward regions of the State from harvesting the benefits of progress and growth?.
Azad said that to bring a transformation in their socio-economic lives, people of the State must afford one chance to the Congress Party with a decisive mandate, as its credentials as a development-oriented party are well established.
Giving an overview of the works done by him as Chief Minister for Gurez, Tangdhar etc., Azad said that roads, colleges, hospitals, schools were constructed during the Congress-led regime, and since then no visible improvement is noticed on the ground.
Azad also recalled about the special recruitment drives which were carried out for the local youth in J&K Police and CRPF during his tenure, adding that unemployment is a tough challenge to be addressed with a comprehensive action plan.
While drawing attention of the people to the devastating earthquake October 2005, Azad said that the massive reconstruction work was started by his Govt. with the full support of UPA Govt. in a coordinated, efficient and serious manner, as that was the first challenge which Congress-led Government had to tackle.
Azad said that “time-tested”, “credible” and “capable” regime of Congress-led Govt. alone can bring out the flood-ravaged State out of morass & put the devastated economy of the State on the path of reconstruction, prosperity and progress.
Azad further said that the massive challenge of reconstruction and rehabilitation cannot be carried out by mere sloganeering or making hollow promises, rather a concerted and coordinated effort is required to rebuild the lives of the people, adding that it is Congress Party alone which can measure upto the challenges that lie ahead.
“If development-oriented, clean and transparent governance is what people of flood-ravaged J&K require people must give chance to Congress Party, as its credentials in reconstruction are very well known” said Azad
Speaking on the occasion, Ambika Soni said that UPA govt. extended wholehearted and liberal financial support to the State during the past 10 years, and that maximum infrastructure building like roads, power projects, highways, railways was undertaken due to the support of UPA Govt.
Soni also said that two Central Universities, five Medical Colleges were sanctioned by the UPA govt. besides opening up hundreds of Colleges, Polytechnics, Skill Development Centres, Schools etc. in the State.
Addressing the gathering. Prof Saif-ud-din Soz said that Congress Party is a strong and vibrant Party in the State & shall be able to form the Govt. as single largest Party. Castigating BJP for its division agenda, Soz said that BJP wants to gain power by hook or crook in the State.
He cautioned the people to remain vigilant about the diabolical plan of BJP/RSS to divide the people of State to further its nefarious agenda.
