PM sheds a tear for Ghulam Nabi Azad

Addressing the parliament today in a farewell to Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Prime Minister choked up while recounting the time when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and Azad, the Chief Minister of Kashmir.

"I have known Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad for years. We were Chief Ministers together. We had interacted even before I became Chief Minister, when Azad Sahab was very much in active politics. He has a passion not many know about - gardening," PM Modi said.

Modi referred to the 2007 terror attack on visitors from Gujarat in J & K which was informed to him personally by Azad who was then CM. "I will never forget Shri Azad's efforts and Pranab Mukherjee's efforts when people from Gujarat were stuck in Kashmir due to a terror attack. That night...Ghulam Nabi Ji called me. He sounded concerned like people are concerned about their own family members. That is the kind of feeling he showed." Modi said, apparently choking.

Azad's Rajya Sabha term ends on February 15th.

"I would not let you retire, I will continue taking your advice. My doors are always open for you," Modi added.