PM Modi bids emotional farewell to Ghulam Nabi Azad, calls him 'true friend'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday bid an emotional farewell to his "true friend" and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad. Senior Congress leader Azad's tenure in the Upper House will end on February 15 and face an unclear future in Parliament as the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir stands dissolved.

With over 28 years of experience as a Parliamentarian, Modi said Azad has witnessed both sides -- in the government and as an Opposition. "The person who will replace Ghulam Nabi ji (as Leader of Opposition) will have difficulty matching his work because he was not only concerned about his party but also about the country and the House," Mod said.

Azad was a member of the Lok Sabha twice and of the Rajya Sabha for five barring for three years when he was the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister.

Tears rolled down from Modi's eyes as he narrated an incident about his closeness with Azad while both were serving as the chief ministers. "A lot of people from Gujarat used to travel to Jammu and Kashmir. One day, there was a terror attack when people from Gujarat were stuck. Azad ji called not just to inform about the attack but he was crying on the phone," Modi said.

"It was then defence minister Pranab Mukherjee and Azad's efforts that people were brought back to the state. Azad ji was at the airport in the night and was concerned about the people like his own family members," Modi said amidst a loud desk thumping.

"Power comes and goes. But how to handle it..." Modi stopped and saluted at Azad, who was sitting across him.

On Monday, Modi had praised Azad for his remarks on Jammu and Kashmir.