Jammu: Stating that they stand with their leader and the future is bright, ten senior leaders including former ministers on Friday resigned from the party membership of the Congress party in support of veteran leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, plunging the J&K unit into crisis at a time when the party is embarking on ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’.
Former Union Minister and Veteran leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday resigned from all memberships of the Congress party.
However, stepping into the shoes of his leader, till now, ten leaders from the Jammu and Kashmir have submitted their resignations to the party high command.
Those resigned included G M Saroori, MLA Muhammad Amin Bhat, Jugal Kishore, Haji Rasheed, Chowdhary Mohd Akram, Gulzar Ahmed Wani (former MLAs), Naresh Gupta, R S Chib (former MLCs), Muneer Ahmed Mir from Lolab and Salman Nizami.
“The decision is very unfortunate,” former JKPCC Chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir told UNI.
He said, “Everything was happening according to him (Ghulam Nabi Azad) in the party but still, if he was not satisfied and preferred to quit, then what can be done.”
“Congress high command conceded all his demands and also considered the names proposed by him for different posts but he had already made up his mind to make Congress a divided house then what else do I say,” said Mir.
“Rest, Congress is a party of ideologies and those who are with ideology will stay with the party but those who want to be with an individual and to follow him that is their problem,” Mir stated.
However, Azad loyalist, former minister, Jugal Kishore Sharma when contacted told UNI, “we are with our leader and will stand by him. Whatever decision will be taken in future course of action, will be accepted unanimously but as of now, we have submitted our resignation.”
Moreover, former minister, R S Chib in his resignation letter has said that the Congress has lost momentum in contributing towards the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I feel the best course of action for me would be to part ways with your party,” he said.
The new Jammu and Kashmir Congress President, Viqar Rasool Wani, said he was committed to rejuvenating the party under “the able leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi”.
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Saifuddin Soz said, “Azad should have resolved the issues within the party. He won’t get the same respect outside the Congress.”
A senior Congress leader pleading anonymity expressed that the future of all those who have stood by Azad is very bright and ensured that very soon a major development will take place in the interest and welfare of Jammu and Kashmir.
The bickering in the Congress party started with the announcement of a new JKPCC Chief on which several leaders expressed resentment.
