PM Modi hit out the Congress’s Lok Sabha election manifesto, saying that it has promises that suit Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir and terrorism.
“The Congress says Article 370 won’t be removed. The language of the Congress’s ‘Dhakosala Patra’ (a term used by PM Modi to describe election manifesto of the Opposition party) is the same as Pakistan’s. They have promised to hold talks with chaotic forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan wants the same thing to happen,” he said at an election rally in Maharashtra’s Latur.
The prime minister said the Congress is responsible for “Pakistan coming into existence”. He said the Congress’s poll manifesto talks about weakening the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which is excatly what Pakistan wants.
“The Congress has announced that those who abuse the nation, work for turning India into many pieces (tukde-tukde) by doing away with the law of sedition. Pakistan wants the same,” PM Modi said adding, “Can you trust such a Congress? Can you trust their allies?”
He also appealed to the first time voters raising the issues of Balakot air strike and Pulwama terror attack if they can dedicate their votes to the “heroes of IAF strike” and “martyrs”. A suicide bomber had targeted a CRPF convoy on February 14 in Jammu and Kashmir killing 40 soldiers.
Days after the Pulwama terror attack, India Air Force (IAF) carried out a strike at a terror camp in Pakistan’s Balakot. The target was understood to be the biggest training centre of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, which owned the Pulwama terror attack.
“The first-time-voters must vote in the name of the nation,” PM Modi said in Latur, where he showered lavish praise on Bal Thackeray, the late chief of the Shiv Sena.