Ghulam Nabi Azad: An Honest Employee

Last Tuesday was the last working day of Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Rajya Sabha. I was watching the session and it was very emotional and eventful as I heard him and other members giving farewell speeches. Many members of the opposition party became emotional at his resignation and praised him highly. A teary-eyed Prime Minister said, “my doors are always open for you”.

But what surprised me was the “cold-reaction” or “no-reaction” from his own party members and leaders.

Ghulam Nabi Azad is an Indian politician.  He was known for his “simple and straightforward personality”. He was a very senior and respected leader. He had been with Congress for five decades. During this time he had served at various positions from the secretary for the block congress committee to the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha.

His loyalty and sincerity were without a doubt.  He had always wished for the betterment of the party. He found that some changes are necessary to make in order to strengthen the party. Out of this desire and wish, he signed a letter addressed to the party chief, suggesting some changes. He became very vocal about some weaknesses of the party.  These things upset the party's high command.

What happened after that?

He was removed from the general secretary post. Slowly and steadily plans were formed to sideline him from major positions. And seeing no chance to come back, he decided to resign.

Well, it is said, “Honesty is the Best Policy”. I agree with this. But I also see that “Not in All cases”.

Let's take a glimpse of his journey.

·In 1973 he started his career as the secretary for the Block Congress Committee.

·In 1980 he was appointed as the President of the All-India Youth Congress.

·In the same year, he was also elected to the Seventh Lok Sabha from Maharashtra.

·In 1982 he entered into the Central government as Deputy Minister in charge of Law, Justice and Company Affairs Ministry.

·In 1984 he was elected to the Eighth Lok Sabha.

·From 1990 - 1996 he was a member from Maharashtra in Rajya Sabha.

·During Rao's government, Azad took charge of Parliamentary Affairs and Civil Aviation ministries.

·During the term of 30 November 1996 to 29 November 2002 and 30 November 2002 to 29 November 2008 he was subsequently elected to Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir

·On 2 November 2005, he became Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

·In 2014, he was appointed as the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha

·In 2015, Azad got re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir,

·In August 2020, he was very much vocal among 23 senior leaders who wrote a letter to party chief Sonia Gandhi, asking her for “sweeping changes” in the party. The letter calls for a “full time and effective leadership” which is both “visible” and “active” in the field; elections to the CWC; and the urgent establishment of an “institutional leadership mechanism” to “collectively” guide the party’s revival.

·He went on to accuse it of having a ‘five-star culture’ and cited that as the reason for the Congress’ losing streak.

·He lost general secretary post and retained by another in Congress reshuffle weeks after letter row.

·On 2 February 2021, he resigned.