STATE TIMES NEWS
KISHTWAR: Cautioning people of Chenab Valley to stand united against the conspiracies being hatched by outside forces to divide them, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that Congress Party has given a sense of belonging and identity to the backward and neglected region of the State called Chenab Valley.
Azad said that those who do not want this neglected region of Chenab Valley to flourish are plotting and conspiring against it by dividing the people on religious lines.
Expressing hope and confidence that people will see through the motives of vested interests, Azad said that Chenab Valley will re-assert itself to maintain its unity, strength as well as relevance in the State politics.
Reminding the people that this new found status to Chenab Valley has not come without any cost as he had to face taunts and sarcasm from the enemies of Chenab Valley for caring for its development and uplift, Azad said that he is confident that people of this region are not so naïve to fritter away this strength and unity on the instigation of external forces.
“I have full faith in the wisdom and maturity of the people of Chenab Valley who will not let vested interests weaken their political strength and advantage gained after years of neglect and deprivation”, said Azad
Azad was addressing public meetings at Bhella and Kishtwar in connection with the election campaigning in the Chenab Valley, asserting that Congress is fighting the elections on the plank of development.
Others who addressed the public meeting include Mohammad Sharief Niaz, G M Saroori, contesting candidates, MLC Naresh Gupta, former Advocate General and senior Congress leader Mohammad Aslam Goni, Mohinder Singh Parihar, P.R Manhas (retd) IGP, Khurshid Bhat former DC Doda, Chowdhary Mohammad Ishaq Shawl, Choudhary Mohammad Latif, Advocate Sudarshan Sharma, Hoshiyar Singh Manhas, Hans Raj Kotwal, Babu Ram Kotwal, Sarpanches Baldev, Hakam Singh, Girdhari Lal and Gandarab Singh were present in the rally. Earlier, Azad accompanied G.M Saroori and Nek Ram Manhas to the offices of respective Returning Officers at Kishtwar in connection with the filing of their nomination papers. Later a procession was taken out by the supporters of Congress which turned into a huge public meeting at Chowgan ground in Kishtwar.
Appreciating the wisdom and sagacity of the people of Chenab Valley, Azad said that people are fully conscious of the benefits of unity which they have reaped in the last ten years by reposing their trust in the Congress Party.
Underlining the need to further accelerate the process of progress and development in the Chenab Valley region, Azad assured the people that yet another united show will enable him to fulfill his dream of converting Chenab Valley into a “model region” of the State.
“I have a dream of making a modern and progressive Chenab Valley which will be an example for the State and if people show their confidence in me, I will give them the desired results”, said Azad.
Exhorting the people to vote with unity and wisdom in favour of the party which has made them feel the benefits of development, Azad said that he takes pride in the fact that a ‘new paradigm’ of development was presented by Congress Party to the people of State in general and people of remote and backward areas like Chenab Valley in particular. Asking the people to choose that party which has the track record of initiating the developmental activities in Chenab Valley region, Azad said that those who are selling dreams and are bent upon dividing the people are the real enemies of Chenab Valley
Lambasting the divisive and polarising forces for widening the gulf between the communities and regions, Azad said systematic and planned attempts by external forces have been made to disturb the atmosphere of peace and harmony in Chenab Valley, adding that people of this region have the capability and knack to see through the real designs of such elements.
Advising the people to reject the political parties which pit one community against other, Azad said real politician/leader is one who can take along the people of all religions, races, cultures, regions and not the one who thrives on divisiveness and polarization.
Castigating the political parties which do politics on the bodies of innocent citizens, Azad said that he would prefer to sit at home than do such ignominious politicking, adding that such political parties/leaders are biggest enemies of the society as well as country. Pointing to the highest number of new administrative units which Chenab Valley recently acquired, Azad said that it is the pressure and persuasion of Congress which made this possible for the Chenab Valley region, adding further that he and his party will continue to raise their voice for Chenab Valley with greater resolve and vigour in future also.
Recalling his thrust on power sector, Azad said during his Chief Ministership long pending Dul Hasti Hydel Project and Baghliar Hydel Power Project were completed and inaugurated by Prime Minister, in addition to taking up of Nimo Bazgo and Chutak Power Projects.
He further said that Rattle Power Project was put to tenders by introducing the mechanism of International Tariff-Based bidding first time in the State under his Chief Ministership on highly beneficial terms and conditions.
Asserting that setting up of Chenab Valley Power Projects Corporation (CVPPC) to harness the hydel power potential of the Chenab Valley was a landmark decision of his tenure as Chief Minister of J and K, Azad said that full potential of this institution will be reaped to set up new power projects in the region and create new job opportunities for the youth as also make J and K State a power-surplus State.
