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| ‘Azad infused new life in freedom movement' | | Did he strengthen Congress? | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 6: The Congress Chief, Sonia Gandhi sent Ghulam Nabi Azad to Jammu Kashmir seven years ago to revive Congress. Under his dynamic leadership, the Congress performed well in the 2002 assembly elections. National Conference was shown the exit and the state came under coalition rule. Azad became a hero.
Azad, was known and liked for his `clean image' across the state. But, Azad failed to take action against his ministers who were involved in the infamous sex scandal. The sordid tale did not end here. The tainted Congress members were once again allowed to contest elections on Congress ticket. The outcome of elections notwithstanding, people by and large got the feeling that Azad was too weak to rid Congress of promiscuous elements.
Azad was put to real test in the last months of the coalition rule. He mishandled the Amarnath land row. Kashmir erupted yet again and so did Jammu. Many a precious lives were lost. Azad could not do justice to Congress either. Bhartaya Janata Party (BJP) leadership played their cards well. Congress lost many a seat in the 2008 elections
He failed the people of Jammu who had, contrary to precedents, opted not to register protest on his first day in the winter capital. For the first time in the past six decades the state of Jammu Kashmir got totally polarized. Azad created a wedge between Jammu region and the Valley. Pertinent to mention the people of the state lived in total harmony during the past twenty years. When militancy was at its peak in Kashmir, Jammu remained calm. But Azad's mishandling of the issue ignited the spark. The heat was felt on other side of the tunnel. Kashmiris responded by boycotting Jammu products. The demand for opening up of Jehlum Valley Road gained momentum much to the annoyance of the security agencies.
A separatist leader while talking to media persons during those fateful days said: "We are thankful to Azad. He did in twenty days what we could not do in twenty years." When asked to elaborate he said: "For twenty years we tried our best to get people out on the streets but failed. Thanks to Azad Sahib, the goal has now been achieved."
The separatist leader meant to say that Azad had infused new life in the dying freedom movement'. Millions chanted the Azadi slogan at Pampore, Eidgah and TRC grounds. The international community had to focus attention Kashmir yet again. The after shocks of what is now called June uprising are still being felt. This is Azad's greatest `achievement' during his Jammu Kashmir sojourn. But wasn't he here to strengthen the Congress?
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