Why Ghulam Nabi Azad resigned from Congress? Why it is good news for BJP?

Introduction

Veteran politician Ghulam Nabi Azad resigned from all the posts of Indian National Congress on Friday 26^th Aug, 2022. In his resignation letter he pointed out number of reasons including Rahul Gandhi’s sudden decision to step down as party president after 2019 general elections. After Ghulam Nabi Azad’s resignation, 5 more party leaders from Jammu and Kashmir quitted Congress Party. Party workers started criticizing Ghulam Nabi Azad after his resignation saying that he revealed his actual character by “betraying” the party and his DNA is “Modified”. Recently, many senior Congress leaders had resigned including Kapil Sibbal, former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar, Gujrat Patidar Leader Hardik Patel, Punjab Ex- Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, RPN Singh etc.

We all know that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cried in time of Ghulam Nabi’s retirement from Rajya Sabha. After that he received Padma Vibhushan. According to Congress party workers all these indicates that Ghulam Nabi has connections with Narendra Modi and he is acting as per Modi’s direction because the “remote control” is in Modi’s hand.

Party workers and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized Azad’s letter of resignation and said it is “not factual”. The letter reflects that he was not satisfied with Rahul Gandhi’s decisions and pointed out his mistakes. But instead of working on it, party workers said that Ghulam Nabi wrote that letter for his “personal vilification” towards Rahul Gandhi. Pawan Khera a senior Congress leader pointed out “the love” between Narendra Modi and Ghulam Nabi Azad in Parliament. He said that the love has been evinced on the resignation letter written by Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Why Ghulam Nabi Azad Resigned from Congress?

May be Congress leaders are criticizing Ghulam Nabi Azad and his decision to resign from the party but the resignation letter pointed out some grievances which they ignored. Let’s have a look on the issues Ghulam Nabi mentioned in his letter –

1. He criticized the “demolition of the consultative mechanism” inside the party after Rahul Gandhi’s entry into politics as Vice President of Congress Party. Ghulam Nabi also said about Rahul Gandhi’s “immaturity” and his wrong decisions.
2. Ghulam Nabi pointed out the incidence of 2013 where Rahul Gandhi tore an ordinance passed in parliament by UPA government. It was embracing for the party because its own vice president acted against its own party’s ordinance. The ordinance was approved by Union Cabinet, Prime Minister and President of India. Ghulam Nabi identified this as a “Childish Behavior”.    
3. Ghulam Nabi Azad also pointed out the embarrassing defeats of congress party in several states after 2014. Congress lost 39 out of 49 assembly election and 2 general elections of 2014 and 2019. It raises a big question mark on Rahul Gandhi and his leadership ability.
4. He described about the institutional integrity which was destroyed because of the ‘remote control model’ of UPA government, now is inside the Congress party.

Lastly, he wrote in the letter that the situation of present Congress party has come to a point of “no return”.

Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Resignation creates new equation in Jammu Kashmir Politics

Azad’s resignation from congress is a turning point in Jammu Kashmir politics. Former leader RS Chib and four other members from Jammu and Kashmir left the party membership. Sate President of Bhartiya Janata Party of Jammu and Kashmir Ravinder Raina praised Azad and said he is a “towering leader”. Jammu Kashmir needs a good leadership who can take the state in proper direction for its development.

Ghulam Nabi stated publicly that he wants to start a new political party. This decision can change the entire political scenario of Jammu and Kashmir. There can be an election till this year end in Jammu and Kashmir. This will be the first election after delimitation of the state. Previously, there were total 87 seats in the assembly where 37 are from Jammu, 46 from Kashmir and 4 from Ladakh. Now Ladakh is a Union Territory. After delimitation the seats have increased up to 43 in Jammu and 47 in Kashmir. In Jammu region BJP is the dominant political party. Leaders from Kashmir who left Congress will support and join Ghulam Nabi Azad’s new party. People also want a new leader and a new face in Kashmir. Ghulam Nabi will become the king maker in Jammu Kashmir. BJP can easily form coalition government with him and probably we can see a Hindu Chief Minister.

Ghulam Nabi Azad has support of huge number of leaders from Kashmir who had left Congress party. He will launch a new political party and its first unit will be formed in Kashmir keeping in mind the upcoming elections. Not less than 51 leaders will leave congress and join Ghulam Nabi Azad’s party including former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand.

Ghulam Nabi Azad’s resignation from Congress party is welcomed by Bhartiya Janata Party. Its because Congress was vote cutter in Jammu region for BJP. Azad belongs from Jammu region so it will weaken Congress in Jammu region. They also have hope on Azad that only he can counter Parties like PDP, National Conference etc. So, if Congress will get weakened then it will no doubt benefit BJP in upcoming polls.

Himanta Biswa Sharma and Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Resignation letter are similar

Himanta Biswa Sharma deserves the credit for BJP’s first victory in North East. When Himanta Biswa Sharma, left congress he wrote similar kind of letter to the Congress headquarters. Ghulam Nabi Azad resignation letter have many similarities with that letter Sharma had written in 2015.

Himanta pointed out the same problems during working with Rahul Gandhi and said that he is “unpredictable, Whimsical and immature”. According to him Sonia Gandhi is trying to promote her son but not taking care of the party. Himanta predicted that one day will come when only Gandhi’s will be left in Congress party and others will leave. If we observe then we can see this is really happening, many veteran Congress leaders had left the party till now.

Conclusion

For the upcoming election in Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad’s decision to leave the party is very significant. It will not only weaken Congress in Jammu and Kashmir but also will give people another option to vote other than NC,PDP and Congress.