The News Craving
The Newscraving Desk
Srinagar, Mar 23:
Former chief minister and Democratic Azad Party (DAP) chairman, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has slammed Rahul Gandhi in his book blaming him of “mismangement.”
In the excerpt from the book which will hit the stands on April 5, Azad criticised Rahul over the exit of Congress leader Himanta Biswas Sarma from the party .
“Rahul told us bluntly that there would be no change in leadership. We pointed out to him that Himanta had the majority of MLAs and would rebel and quit the party. Let him go, Rahul said. The meeting was over. I am not sure if Rahul said this to assert himself or because he was ignorant that his decision would have far-reaching consequences, not only in the state of Assam but the entire north-east,” he says. “After our interaction with Rahul, I met Sonia ji and apprised her of the new twist in the tale. Despite understanding the disastrous consequences that lay ahead, it is rather unfortunate that she did not assert herself as the party president. Instead, she asked me to request Himanta to not rock the rock the boat,” said Azad in the book.
The book could turn out to be a political thriller, given that Azad lead the government during the Amarnath agitation in 2008. He lost power during the agitation after differences with PDP over the transfer of land to Amarnath Shrine Board. After Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took office as chief minister in PDP-Congress coalition, Azad had told reporters that Sayeed was made the CM to prevent his ” drifting away from mainstream.”
The publisher Rupa which had also brought out the book by former Home Minister, L K Advani, says about the book, “India’s tumultuous political history, revealing backroom stories, humorous anecdotes and invaluable life lessons come together in Azaad, Ghulam Nabi Azad’s frank, unflinching autobiography about his life and career.” Interestingly, Advani in his book had talked about the syncretic traditions of Sindh, Pakistan, as well as the events that led to the demolition of Babri Masjid.
