Why an emotional Modi saluted Ghulam Nabi Azad in Rajya Sabha

Setting aside political differences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday effusively praised Ghulam Nabi Azad, the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

The tenures of Azad and three other Rajya Sabha MPs from Jammu and Kashmir—Shamsher Singh (BJP) and Nazir Ahmed Laway and Mohammad Fayaz (both from PDP)—is ending this week.

As is the practice to felicitate 'retiring' members of the Rajya Sabha, Modi got up to remember the work of the four MPs.

"We bid farewell to Rajya Sabha MPs who have played a vital role in the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. I recall my numerous interactions with Shri Nazir Ahmed Laway and Shri Mohammad Fayaz. Their passion towards Jammu and Kashmir’s progress is noteworthy," Modi was quoted as saying by India TV.

Modi also remembered his long association with Shamsher Singh from his days as a BJP worker. Modi noted Shamsher Singh had been jailed during the Emergency. Modi lauded Shamsher Singh for recording 96 per cent attendance in Parliament, viewing it as symbol of his commitment to his state.

But Modi reserved the most praise for Ghulam Nabi Azad. Modi said, "My worry is, that after him, whoever assumes this post [leader of opposition] will find it difficult to match the stature of Ghulam Nabi Azad. This is because he was not only concerned about his party [the Congress], but also thought about the functioning of Parliament and the country." Modi said he placed Ghulam Nabi Azad and Sharad Pawar in the group of leaders who gave priority to national interests and interests of Parliament.

Modi credited this attitude to Ghulam Nabi Azad's experience in both government and in opposition. Modi said "Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad has set very high standards as MP and opposition leader. His work will inspire generations of MPs to come."

Modi referred to the deep relationship he had with Azad when they were both chief ministers. "I have known Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad for years. We were chief ministers together. We had interacted even before I became CM, when Azad Sahab was very much in active politics," Modi said. Azad was chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir from 2005 to 2008.

Modi referred to a terror attack that targeted Gujarati tourists in Jammu and Kashmir during Azad's tenure. Modi became emotional as he said "Ghulam Nabi called me. The call was not just to inform me (about the incident). His tears were not stopping."

"I will never forget Shri Azad’s efforts and Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s (defence minister at the time) efforts when people from Gujarat were stuck in Kashmir due to a terror attack. Ghulam Nabi Ji was constantly following up, he sounded as concerned as if those stuck were his own family members," Modi said. Apologising for turning emotional again, Modi said Azad was at the airport to send the bodies of the victims to Gujarat.

"Just as some thinks about their family members, Azad thought of these victims," Mod said.

"Posts come, high office comes, power comes; how to handle these, one must learn from Ghulam Nabi Azad Ji. I would consider him a true friend," Modi said, saluting Azad.

Azad acknowledged the praise by offering a 'Namaste' to Modi.

Jibe at Congress

On Monday, Modi had also praised Azad for acknowledging the success of last year's local body polls in Jammu and Kashmir. Modi also used the opportunity to take a swipe at the Congress leadership for allegedly attempting to alienate Azad after the Kashmiri leader figured in a group of 23 veterans who had written a letter to party chief Sonia Gandhi last year, demanding reforms in the party.

"Ghulam Nabi ji has praised the elections for panchayats, BDCs (block development councils) and DDC (district development councils) held recently in Jammu and Kashmir and I am grateful to him for doing so. But I also fear on this praise showered on me. I am confident that people in your party will take this in the right spirit and not mistake it as the advice of 'G-23' to do something opposite," Modi had said in the Rajya Sabha.