Live -Ghulam Nabi Azad resignation: Here’s how political leaders reacted to letter

Ghulam Nabi Azad’s resignation created ripples within the party with members of the G23 leaders, of which he was a part of, expressing their disbelief over the same

Ghulam Nabi Azad resignation: Here’s how political leaders reacted to letter

Former union minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad resigned from the party on Friday. His resignation created ripples within the party with members of the G23 leaders, of which he was a part of, expressing their disbelief over the same.

Not only the G23 leaders, other party members also reacted to the development.

Jairam Ramesh

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh hit out at Azad over his criticism of the party leadership. He linked his resignation to the end of his Rajya Sabha tenure and alleged his betrayal reveals his true character and that his DNA has “Modi-fied”.

A man who has been treated with the greatest respect by the Congress leadership has betrayed it by his vicious personal attacks which reveals his true character. GNA’s DNA has been Modi-fied,” Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

Pawan Khera.

The party’s media department head Pawan Khera also lashed out at Azad and linked his resignation to end of his Rajya Sabha tenure.

“As soon your Rajya Sabha term got over, you got restless. You could not stay without a post even for a second,” Khera said.

Raghu Sharma

Gujarat Congress in-charge Raghu Sharma said that the party gave everything to Azad and it did not behove him to make such allegations while quitting.

Asked if Azad’s exit would be a setback for the Congress, Sharma repeated Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s recent statement that those who were joining the party were welcome, and those who were leaving were welcome to leave.

Ashok Gehlot

Launching a scathing attack on Azad, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot called his move as inhuman as the resignation came at a time when party chief Sonia Gandhi is in the United States for medical check up.

At the same time, he pointed out that Azad, who enjoyed various positions in the last 42 years, was also believed to be sycophant during the era of Sanjay Gandhi.

“Earlier also Sonia Gandhi was unwell. When they wrote a letter, people took it otherwise that when the leader is ill and admitted in hospital why such a letter was written. Now when she has gone to America for a check-up, what message do you want to convey by writing a letter? I am saying a sensitive thing, that our leader, who came to politics because of our pressure in 1996. Writing a letter when she is ill and away for check-up, I believe is against human sentiments,” he said.

Bhupinder Hooda

Former Haryana chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda said Azad’s resignation from all party positions, including its primary membership, was “unfortunate”.

He also said when a senior leader takes such a step, it does make an impact on the party organisation.

“It is unfortunate, that is what I can say,” Hooda told news agency PTI when asked about Azad’s decision.

“He (Azad) has been a Congressman throughout,” he added.

Jaiveer Shergill

Slamming the ‘coterie’ culture and echoing similar sentiments to that of Azad, former Congress leader Jaiveer Shergill said leaders across age groups were frustrated with its ‘coterie culture.’

Recently, Shergill had resigned as Congress spokesperson.

“Now a senior leader is speaking about it becoming a club of PAs and security guards shows that leaders across age groups are frustrated and disappointed by this entire coterie culture that is thriving in the Congress,” Shergill told news agency ANI.

He also dismissed the upcoming Bharat Jodo Yatra by Congress and said, “Bharat Jodo is a PR gimmick. In reality, this cabal is working within Congress on ‘Congress Todo Abhiyan’, elbowing out all the well-meaning leaders. This letter speaks loudly of the sentiments of thousands of well-meaning Congress workers who are troubled by this ‘Darbari’ culture”.

Shergill added that the decision-making of the grand-old party is not in consonance with the ground reality and public interest but is influenced by sycophancy.

Farooq Abdullah

Reacting to Azad’s letter, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah said the former must have resigned from the Congress as he must not be getting respect and love from the party and added that the country needs a stronger opposition.

“When a veteran leader like Ghulam Nabi Azad leaves, that means he must not be getting respect and love that was showered upon him earlier,” Farooq Abdullah said.

Omar Abdullah

Abdullah’s son and vice president of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Omar Abdullah in a tweet said it is a blow to Congress and Azad’s letter makes for a very painful reading.

“Long rumoured to be in the offing but a body blow to the Congress nonetheless. Perhaps the seniormost leader to quit the party in recent times, his resignation letter makes for very painful reading. It’s sad, and quite scary, to see the grand old party of India implode,” Omar’s tweet read.

Azad, a senior leader and former Union minister, resigned from all Congress positions earlier in the day and accused the leadership of committing “fraud” on the party in the name of “sham” internal polls.