Srinagar: In a big setback to the Congress party in Jammu and Kashmir, Mubashar Azad, nephew of senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad of the erstwhile state, joined Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Sunday along with dozens of supporters.
Mubashar Azad, a youth leader from Doda, is also the nephew of Ghulam Nabi Azad. He joined BJP along with his supporters at the BJP headquarter, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina, accompanied by former MLA Dalip Parihar and BJP ST Morcha President Haroon Choudhary, extended a warm welcome to Mubashar Azad, who was closely associated with Congress Working President Rahul Gandhi for a long time.
J&K BJP Office Secretary Tilak Raj Gupta, Media Secretary Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, and Sanjay Bakshi were also present on the occasion.
Mubashar Azad said that he was deeply hurt over the disrespect of his uncle, former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad by the present Congress leadership in Jammu & Kashmir and the Centre. “The way the Congress party treated Ghulam Nabi Azad, one of the charismatic leaders of Congress party, has hurt the sentiments of the masses,” he said, stressing that PM Modi Ji has given recognition to the efforts of former CM.
He added that while there is total selfish infighting within the Congress party, “Modi Ji has gained the trust of the masses and thus we pledge to stand with Modi Ji and BJP in the interest of the society and the Nation.”
Ravinder Raina welcomed Mubashar Azad along with other new entrants into the party fold and said that the parties like Congress, National Conference, and PDP did nothing but enjoy the luxuries of power. He said that it was only the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government that took “substantial steps” to make sure that the democracy is strengthened at the basic level in Jammu & Kashmir, giving rights to every community living here. He added that the policies of the BJP leadership were being appreciated by one and all, and that is the reason that almost daily, active social and political personalities were coming forward to embrace the party to serve the masses.
Raina added that these new entrants led by Mubashar will not only strengthen the party in Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and other areas but will encourage the youths from the whole region of Jammu & Kashmir to work for the Nation and the society. He appreciated the efforts of senior BJP leaders Sunil Sharma and Shakti Parihar along with Dalip Parihar, for their efforts in strengthening the party with these young and energetic faces.