Former Jammu & Kashmir CM Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said Rahul Gandhi was the main reason why he and several others were not in the Congress today. He also said that to stay in the grand old party, one must be "spineless", reported news agency PTI. Azad further stated that even if Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi or Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wanted him to come back to the party, they could not ensure it. He added that even if Rahul Gandhi wanted him to return, it was too late for him to do so.
Azad, who has now founded the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, noted that in politics today, no one is untouchable, and he could go with any party to form a government. He even said that he did not rule out allying with the BJP to be a part of the government in Jammu and Kashmir if both parties won elections there.
Azad spoke about his new book, "Azaad: An Autobiography," which former Union Minister and Sadr-i-Riyasat of the State of Jammu and Kashmir Dr. Karan Singh released. He said that he remains "2000 percent more Congressi" than those leaders who work through Twitter.
Azad, who has worked with four Congress Prime Ministers and remained party general secretary for almost every state, left the party last year over differences with the leadership. To a question on if Rahul Gandhi was the reason for his exit from Congress, Azad replied there were a few dozen young and old leaders, whose conduct made him quit. He added that once one is in the Congress, they are spineless, and they have to get operated.
Azad further said that party seniors should not be forced to accompany when top leaders are appearing before a probe agency. He said that previously, leaders voluntarily accompanied top leadership and Prime Ministers when they appeared before any commission of inquiry or probe agency. No whip was issued, unlike today.
When asked if Rahul Gandhi wanted his return, Azad said it was too late even if the former wanted that. Azad said he knows the working style of the present leadership. "Congress leaders dub me who has been 'Modi-fied', but I am 'Azadi-fied'," he was quoted as saying by PTI. Azad emphasized that he may have left the Congress party, but his objectivity has not gone.
Azad said that Indira Gandhi was a 24x7 politician, and Rajiv Gandhi, though being a reluctant leader initially, was also entirely into politics. "If Rahul Gandhi worked even 1/50th of what Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi did, he would have succeeded," Azad said.
He also noted that politics is a commitment to oneself, people, party, and country. One must rise to the occasion whenever needed and when there is party work. "Time does not wait for anyone. Politics is survival of the fittest," he said. Azad added that he might not like Prime Minister Narendra Modi or his ideology, but he is a 24-hour politician, and one should not ignore that while fighting with him.