Defeat divisive forces to strengthen secularism: Azad tells

Congress leader and Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to defeat divisive and communal forces in order to bolster secularism, which he said was the strength of the nation.
"We appeal to the people to defeat divisive and communal forces in order to strengthen secularism, which is the strength of the nation," was Azad's refrain at two separate public meetings today at Surankote and Poonch ahead of Lok Sabha polls.
Azad, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, was accompanied by J-K Congress unit chief Saif-ud-Din Soz at the rallies which were jointly organised by coalition partners National Conference (NC) and Congress and addressed by several prominent leaders from either party.

The Union minister cited the achievements of the UPA-I and UPA-II governments and claimed that tremendous development over the last 10 years in the country had benefited each and every section of society.
He referred to projects like the Mughal Road, sanctioning of a medical college in the region, upgrade of health and education sectors and schemes like MGNREGA and other welfare measures taken up in these years for the benefit of the common man.
He said that despite these development schemes, the attention of the people was being diverted with a view to mislead them.

People should not get carried away by the negative forces who are trying to create division and hatred, Azad said, adding that the Congress-NC coalition would defeat the forces of exploitation.

Soz said that the foundation of the country had been laid on the ideals of secularism and harmony amongst different sections. Those spreading hatred were weakening the nation, he charged.
People of the country have great faith in secularism and would not allow communal forces to exploit sectional sentiments for electoral gains, he stressed.
He praised the leadership of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for extending liberal financial support for projects which have been taken up or sanctioned.
Soz also highlighted the achievements of the coalition government in the state in implementing the 73rd Amendment Act and creating new administrative units.