Team News Riveting
New Delhi, February 9
Having come under the scanner of Congress high command for suggesting measures to strengthen the party, senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad today received applause from an unexpected quarter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi heaped praise on the Congress veteran and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad for his efforts to rescue the people of Gujarat once stuck in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which eight people were killed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was speaking to accord farewell to four members from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir – Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Shamsher Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Nazir Ahmad Laway.
Recalling the horrifying incident, Modi said that Azad was the first to call him to inform him about the incident. The Prime Minister said Mr Azad’s tears would not stop.
“I will never forget Shri Azad’s efforts and Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s efforts when people from Gujarat were stuck in Kashmir due to a terror attack. Ghulam Nabi Ji was constantly following up, he sounded as concerned as if those stuck were his own family members,” he added.
The teary-eyed Prime Minister said that Ghulam Nabi Azad has distinguished himself in Parliament.
“I have known Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad for years. We were Chief Ministers together. We had interacted even before I became CM, when Azad Sahab was very much active in politics. He not only worries about his Party but also has similar passion towards the smooth running of the House and towards India’s development. He has a passion not many know about – gardening.”
Appreciating Azad’s legacy and his contribution as Rajya Sabha member and the leader of opposition, the Prime Minister in his emotional speech said that Ghulam Nabi Azad had set very high standards as MP and Opposition leader. “His work will inspire generations of MPs to come. Posts come, high offices come, power comes and how to handle these, one must learn from Ghulam Nabi Azad Ji. I would consider him a true friend,” Modi added.
