Gulam Nabi Azad praised PM Modi: “I used to think he was crude…”

Ghulam Nabi Azad, a veteran lawmaker for Jammu and Kashmir, stated on Monday that he had previously had a false impression about Prime Minister Modi. “I used to think PM Modi is a crass man… that he doesn’t have children, but he demonstrated humanity,” the 73-year-old former union minister said. He added, “A grenade explosion inside a bus had resulted in casualties, to the degree that bodies were dismembered, when I was the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.”

“Modi Sahab (he was the Gujarat CM at the time) dialled me up. But I was crying. I told my officials that I could not speak. I think he heard me crying. I said my people wanted me,” Azad told reporters.

“I told the PM that I needed two planes—one for those injured and one for those who had died. Later, when I met those who were affected when I went to see off those injured, they shared their pain with me, and I cried yet again,” Azad shared. “That was also captured in TV news visuals, and the Gujarat CM (Modi) called me up again.”

Azad’s resignation letter, which was five pages long and included criticism of Rahul Gandhi, reflections on his time spent with the Congress over the last 50 years, and an opening to the G-23 leaders, dealt the Congress a serious blow last week.

Days after leaving, Azad attacked the Congress once more, telling reporters: “Modi is an excuse; they have had a problem with me ever since the G-23 letter was published.”

They did not want anyone to contact them by letter or inquire about them. Azad was one of the 23 senior leaders who allegedly wrote to Sonia Gandhi about two years ago regarding party reforms that were required, according to him. “Several (Congress) meetings took place, but not even a single suggestion was adopted,” he claimed. G-23 became the group’s moniker.”

Azad was also asked if he would work with the BJP amid the rumours that he is about to launch his own party. “See, there are illiterates in Congress. My voter base cannot help the BJP, and the opposite is also true. Politicians in J&K are well aware of this.” After Article 370, which granted J&K special rights, was repealed, the union territory is set to soon experience polling.