JAMMU: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has struck again; this time against his ‘very own’ Ghulam Nabi Azad, the recipient of this year’s Padma Bhushan award. Ramesh’s innuendo is not only shameful but also reflects the dirty mindset of the whatsoever little leadership is left in the Congress. Belittling and undermining the national award by making an indirect reference while reacting to the refusal of former West Bengal Chief Minister and CPI(M) leader Buddhadeb Bhattcharjee to get the coveted award tweeting,” Right thing to do. He wants to be Azad [free] not Ghulam [slave]”, Jairam Ramesh has shown shallowness of his thoughts by calling someone Azad for refusing a national honour and Ghulam for accepting it.
True, the outburst of a senior Congress leader and the loyalist of Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul and Priyanka Vadra has hurt many senior party leaders but the stoic silence by Gandhis’ themselves speak their approval to such undignified thought process. The remark-ironically for the Congressmen-has proved counterproductive as many reputed leaders have come openly in support of Ghulam Nabi Azad. This has indeed enhanced his stature as a patriotic national leader. In the words of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a former Congress leader who joined the BJP in 2016, “… This is a well-deserved recognition for the distinguished politician, gentleman & a staunch nationalist…”’
Ghulam Nabi Azad is among very few Congress leaders who has worked as a Union Minister and remained close aide of Prime Minister-Indira Gandhi, Rajeev Gandhi, P. V Narsimha Rao and Manmohan Singh. He rose to the position of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha due to his enviable political and nationalistic credentials. His stature is certainly shadowing the Gandhis, least to speak of their factotums in the Congress-Jairam Ramesh included. Recognition of Azad’s stature has come from cutting across the party lines. This got a huge expression during a tearful adieu by none other than the most popular Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi when Azad retired as Member of Rajya Sabha. Addressing Azad as a ‘true friend’, Modi said that the Congress leader has set high standards as a Member of Parliament (MP) and as the Leader of the Opposition. “Power comes and goes but (only a few know) how to digest it…therefore like a friend, I respect him on the basis of the things he has done over these years,” Modi said while wiping his tears and saluting Azad. Modi said he believes that Azad’s concern for his country won’t let him sit and whatever responsibilities he takes in the future would be beneficial for the nation. “At a personal level, I would request him to not believe that he is not in the House. My door is always open for all of you. I will always expect and value your inputs,” he said.”I will not let you become weak,” the Prime Minister told Azad as he closed his comments. In a tweet, the Prime Minister paid a befitting tribute to the Leader of the Opposition, “Ghulam Nabi Azad has distinguished himself in Parliament. He not only worries about his Party but also has a similar passion towards the smooth running of the House and India’s development”.
The heart burn among the Gandhi loyalists is understandable, as the first family of the Congress has failed to make any mark in the Indian politics post Modi emergence. The mother, son and daughter are struggling to keep their flock together but the excursion of the senior leaders transcending the party barriers is continuing. On the contrary, the G-23 of the Congress is galvanising around Ghulam Nabi Azad for his overwhelming acceptance in the cadre as also in the non-Congress camp, including the BJP, which is why his senior colleagues are standing behind him like a rock. This is aptly reflected in the tweet from Kapil Sibal, “Ghulam Nabi Azad conferred Padam Bhushan. Congratulations bhaijan. Ironic that the Congress doesn’t need his services when the nation recognises his contributions to public life.” Veteran Congress leader Dr Karan Singh applied icing to the cake by saying, ” if ‘one of our colleagues’ is honoured, he should be greeted with warm appreciation rather than ‘snide remarks’.”
Azad’s national recognition has triggered a churning in the Congress with leaders adopting very careful approach despite their proximity to Sonia Gandhi. The tremors can be witnessed by support coming to Azad from one after another senior party leader.
Will it be a turning point in the Congress? Will this lead to isolation of Sonia and company with their charisma remaining restricted to a few cronies only?
