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| Azad's attack on media misplaced | | Issue of CM | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 18: Senior Congress leader and outgoing Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, who has lost his relevance not only in the state but also in the erstwhile Doda district, is, it seems, has turned against the media. His Saturday senseless attack on section of the media only points to his grudge against the media and indicates the level of his frustration and desperation following the defeat of his party, including his own massive defeat, in the Lok Sabha elections as well as a crushing defeat of the Congress in the Assembly elections, including the defeat of four Congress candidates in the erstwhile Doda district, which was till not-so-long-ago considered his strong support-base. It is the fundamental duty of the media to present an accurate picture of facts and it would be regarded a sinner in case it fails to discharge its obligations towards the people and the state.
The assertion of Azad that he didn't oppose the demand for Chief Minister from Jammu province is as hollow as it deserves severe criticism. Is it not a fact that he mooted the idea of grand alliance between the PDP, the NC and the Congress to ensure that the office of the Chief Minister remained with Kashmir as before? It is a fact which no one can deny. It is a different story that the PDP didn't give any credence to the suggestion considering the nature of the mandate and the fact that the BJP has emerged as a great force in Jammu after the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and assembly elections. Similarly, is it not a fact that he advocated the need of grand alliance to respect the Kashmiri sentiment? It is also a fact. He did say that a grand alliance between the PDP, the NC and the Congress was a must to keep the victorious BJP out of power and respect the Kashmiri sentiment. Even a naïve would say that Azad opposed the demand in Jammu for Chief Minister from the Jammu province.
The claim of Azad that he is secular, democrat and has always been fair in his approach towards all the three regions of the state cannot carry any conviction with the people of Jammu province. His approach has always been Valley-centric. One can catalogue here scores of instances to prove this point. However, a reference to just two instances in this regard would be quite in order. One, Azad on November 23 or just on the eve of assembly elections in the state declared in Jammu during the press conference that the "existing difference of 13 assembly seats between Jammu province and Kashmir province would be maintained even if a new delimitation commission is constituted". He made this provocative statement while releasing the party's election manifesto - a statement that led to the ignominious defeat of the Congress party in Jammu province. The nature of its defeat could be gauged from the fact that not a single Congress candidate could win in any Hindu-dominated constituency. It happened for the first time in the electoral history of the state. It's no wonder then that the critics of Azad and the Congress party are terming the Congress as a "Muslim party".
Two, it was Azad who subverted the Wazir Commission report on new districts and set up eight new districts in 2007, four districts each in Jammu province and Kashmir valley. The Wazir Commission report had recommended three new districts of Samba, Kishtwar and Reasi for Jammu province and one district of Bandipora in Kashmir Valley. Azad created four new districts in the Valley despite the fact that there was no demand whatsoever anywhere in the Valley for new districts. In fact, Azad himself publicly admitted that he created an equal number of districts in Kashmir and Jammu as he believed in the principle of equity and regional balance. He failed to appreciate the fact that Jammu province was two-time bigger than Kashmir and the bulk of its land area was difficult, inaccessible and even treacherous.
Azad needs to look all these facts in the face and refashion his whole approach towards the state. It would be only desirable if he adopts a holistic approach towards the people of the state, irrespective of their religious denomination and political affiliation. As for the office of Chief Minister, he should support the demand in Jammu for this highest executive post. It is essential if he wishes to win over the people of Jammu province. |
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