"Will announce new political party in 10 days," says, Ghulam Nabi Azad

• Image Credit: Google

• Sep 11, 2022 | Dhupali Das

More than a dozen leaders in Jammu and Kashmir left the Congress after Azad's abrupt departure and joined the former's side...

Digital Desk: Days after leaving Congress, veteran lawmaker Ghulam Nabi Azad stated on Sunday that he will launch his own political party within the next ten days. Azad made the announcement at a public assembly in Baramulla.

On August 26, the 73-year-old politician quits his five-decade affiliation with the Congress, calling the organization "comprehensively decimated." Rahul Gandhi was also slammed by him for allegedly "demolishing" the entire consultation process within the party.

More than a dozen leaders in Jammu and Kashmir left the Congress after Azad's abrupt departure and joined the former's side.

Earlier this month, former minister G M Saroori stated that the Azad-led party would be a reality on the political map of Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the next Assembly elections, which are expected to be held once the present process of special summary revision of the electoral lists is completed on November 25.

In the midst of recent leader resignations and criticisms of the Congress, Rahul Gandhi stated on Friday that while it is easy for many of them to make peace with the BJP and "fold hands" before it, his character is to fight for a certain vision of India.

When asked about Congress leaders quitting and criticizing the party, Gandhi responded, "Obviously, the BJP has better means of putting pressure on them than I have."

His statements come at a news conference here during the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra, only days after leaders such as Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jaiveer Shergill left the party and strongly criticized it. Congress has also had an internal conflict, and some of its leaders have criticized the party on a few matters.

Azad had criticized Congress' Rahul and Sonia Gandhi the day before, saying he had maintained "dignified silence" since leaving the party, but their relentless attacks obliged him to reply. 

He claimed that despite the Gandhis' continuous attacks on him, he had long kept a dignified quiet; however, his one act of revenge had since "grounded" them.

"After my resignation letter, I maintained a dignified silence for four days, but when Sonia Gandhi and Rahul kept attacking me, I was left with no other option but to make my point, as my religion and ethics of politics give you the right to protect yourself when you are attacked," Azad said.

"They tried to defame me by firing missiles at me, but when I retaliated, they got grounded with a single shot of a 303 rifle," he added. 

"If I had used a ballistic missile, then they would have vanished from politics forever," he said.

Azad stated that he will work to restore Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and people's rights.

"The first right on the land of Jammu and Kashmir and jobs is that of our people, and it's my foremost priority to fight to give my people their right," Azad said.