Ghulam Nabi Azad's nephew joins BJP, slams Congress leadership

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's nephew

Mubashar Azad

joined the BJP at the party's headquarters in Jammu's Trikuta Nagar.

Azad, a vocal Congress critic, is part of the G23 leaders who had written to Congress president Sonia Gandhi seeking a visible and active leadership as well as sweeping reforms in the Congress.

Speaking to reporters after joining the saffron party,

Mubashar

said he was "deeply hurt" over the disrespect meted out to his uncle by the Congress leadership.

He said that the way Congress treated Ghulam Nabi Azad, one of the "charismatic" leaders of tje party, has hurt the sentiments of the common masses.

Notably, Ghulam Nabi Azad was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Narendra Modi government last month.

Referring to the honour given to Azad, his nephew said the ruling BJP dispensation has given recognition to the former Rajya Sabha member.

Further, Mubashar said that while there is infighting within the Congress, PM Modi has gained the trust of the common masses.

"We pledge to stand with PM Modi and BJP in the interest of the society and the nation," he said.

He stressed that PM Narendra Modi has given recognition to the efforts of former CM, apparently referring to the Padma Bhushan award to Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina welcomed Mubashar along with other new entrants into the party fold and said that the parties like Congress, National Conference and Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) "did nothing but to enjoy the luxuries of power."

Raina added that these new entrants led by Mubashar Azad will not only strengthen the party in Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and other areas but will encourage the youths from the whole region of Jammu and Kashmir to work for the Nation and the society.

(With inputs from ANI)