Sonia ‘revives’ ties with Gujjars

[1]

All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi finally kept her date with the Gujjars by inaugurating “Gujjar Centre for Culture and Heritage” here on Saturday and also used the opportunity to revive age old links of party with the nomadic community with the promise that Centre would “do everything for its development.”

She was addressing the gathering at Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT) following inauguration of the centre. This was her first ever visit to the winter capital after the UPA came to power for its second term.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah, Union minister for health Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union minister for new and renewable energy Dr Farooq Abdullah, JKPCC chief Prof Saifuddin Soz, minister of state at the Prime Minister’s Office and J&K affairs in-charge Prithviraj Chavan, deputy chief minister Tara Chand and GDCT chairman Masud Chowdhary shared the presidium with the AICC president.
To strike a right chord with the community, which formed a significant vote bank of the party in the state, the Congress president recalled, “Congress shares a very special and deep relationship with Gujjars and it dates back to the times of Pandit Nehru. Nehruji, Indiraji and Rajivji — they all had great concern for the community which formed important part of our society. They felt duty-bound to redress their grievances. The party still cares for this nomadic population a great deal.”
Profusely appreciating Gujjars for, what she chose to describe as, “their valour, unquestionable patriotism, enduring spirits despite all odds and innumerable sacrifices for the country during wars with the neighbouring country and militancy,” Sonia stated that the UPA government was making all out efforts for development and progress of J&K.
National Conference president and Union minister for new and renewable energy Dr Farooq Abdullah and his chief minister son did a perfect balancing act in the function.
While Farooq also brought an element of suspense in his inimitable manner in his address, the chief minister also did some plain speaking while responding to some of the points made by Masud Chowdhary.
Mr Farooq maintained, “Many people did not want the AICC president to come here as a part of their nasty politics. But I’m happy she still came and this has boosted the morale of the community spread all across India and Pakistan.”