Jammu: On the second day of his three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad along with rebel G-23 leaders, participated in the Gandhi Global Family’s ‘Shanti Sammelan’ programme on Saturday.
Rebel Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Bhupendra Singh Hooda, Manish Tiwari, Raj Babbar and Vivek Tankha gathered in Jammu on Saturday for the Gandhi Global Family’s ‘Shanti Sammelan’ headed by Azad.
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The coming together of all these Congress leaders, who had expressed dissent with the functioning of the party, is being seen as a show of strength by G-23.
Speaking at the event, Ghulam Nabi Azad talked about being a united voice as he said, “Be it Jammu or Kashmir or Ladakh, we respect all religions, people and castes. We equally respect everyone, that is our strength and we will continue with this”.
Calling G-23 as ‘Gandhi 23’, actor turned politician Raj Babbar stated, “People say ‘G-23’, I say Gandhi 23. With the belief, resolve and thinking of Mahatma Gandhi, this nation’s law and Constitution was formed. Congress is standing strongly to take these forward. ‘G-23’ wants Congress to be strong”.
Congress leader Kapil Sibal expressed worry about the status of Congress party by saying, “The truth is that we see Congress party getting weak. That is why we have gathered here. We had gathered together earlier too and we have to strengthen the party together”.
Talking about the retirement of Azad from Rajya Sabha, he added, “He is one such leader who knows the ground reality of Congress in every district of every state. We were saddened when we realised that he is being freed from Parliament. We didn’t want him to go.. I can’t understand why is Congress not using his experience”.
Event to honor Ghulam Nabi Azad
According to Dr. SP Verma, President of Gandhi Global Family in Jammu, this event was held in honor of Ghulam Nabi Azad on his retirement from Rajya Sabha. He said that the rebel veteran leaders of the Congress, who are members of the Gandhi Global Family, will send a message of peace to the world. He added that he sent an open invitation not only to Congress members but also to all the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Gandhi family absent from event poster, Congress clarifies
Notably, the photos of the Gandhi family were not seen on the poster of the even. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi were absent on the poster, and images of rebel Congress leaders were used instead. Clarifying the matter, Congress stated that it is not a Congress conference but a conference of Gandhi Global Family and posters with photos of the attendees have been put.
(With Agency Inputs)
