'Baseless Allegation': Rajnath Hits Out At Rahul Over Blaming BJP Govt's Policies For China-Pak Friendship

The senior BJP leader stressed that he never raised a question over the valour of the Indian Army irrespective of which political party was in power.

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New Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent statement in Parliament where the latter blamed the BJP-led government's foreign policy for bringing China and Pakistan together.

Addressing a rally in Punjab's Dasuya ahead of the state election, Rajnath Singh made an apparent reference to Rahul Gandhi when he said there are some forces that speak whatever comes to their mind.

"Whatever Rahul Gandhiji said in Parliament, it hurt a lot. Rahulji tried to distort history in Parliament and alleged that because of our wrong foreign policies, Pakistan and China became friends," he said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

The Union Defence Minister wondered if Rahul was not aware of the history as he pointed out that Jawaharlal Nehru was the prime minister of India when the Shaksgam valley was handed over by Pakistan to China.

"When the Karakoram highway was built in PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir), Indira Gandhi was the prime minister," he added.

He further said, "You (Rahul Gandhi) are blaming the BJP government's policies for the friendship between China and Pakistan. It is a baseless allegation".

Referring to the violent clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Ladakh's Galwan valley, Rajnath Singh emphasised that the Indian soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and even sacrificed their lives.

"Our soldiers made sacrifices but never allowed an inch of land to go to China," the defence minister said, as quoted by PTI.

The senior BJP leader stressed that he never raised a question over the valour of the Indian Army irrespective of which political party was in power.

If Little Effort Was Made, Kartarpur Sahib Would Have Been Part Of India: Rajnath Singh

In another rally at Sujanpur, Rajnath Singh referred to a "huge mistake" made during the drawing of the country's boundary in 1947. He said Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib would have been part of India if little more effort was made.

Pointing out that Gurdwara Kartapur Sahib, the final resting place of Guru Nanak, is only about four-five km away from International Border, he said: "If little efforts were made, Kartarpur Sahib would have been in India only.

Punjab Needs Punjabis, Not The AAP: Rajnath Singh

The BJP is contesting the February 20  Punjab election in an alliance with the Punjab Lok Congress (PLC), led by former chief minister Amarinder Singh, and the Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).

Campaigning for the alliance, Rajnath Singh addressed election meetings at Dasuya, Sujanpur and Gurdaspur assembly constituencies in Punjab today. 

"You voted the NDA government to power in Delhi (Centre) and now, there should be an NDA government in Punjab too under the BJP's leadership. Progress will be fast in Punjab," he told the gathering in Dasuya.

He also targetted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for announcing freebies as its election promises.

"A new party has come and it is the AAP. Punjab needs Punjabis, not the AAP," the senior BJP leader said while attacking the Arvind- Kejriwal-led party for making "false claims" in its advertisements.

"People do not need alms. They want India's head to be held high," he added.

The Union Defence Minister also recalled the sacrifices made by the Sikh community for the country, saying: "We can never forget the sacrifices of the Sikh community. We have a Sikh regiment (in the Indian Army) and when I see their courage, I feel proud."

He also countered BJP's political rivals over the issue of a minimum support price for crops as he said that a provision of Rs 2.37 lakh crore has been made in the Union Budget for procurement of crops.

Rajnath Singh urged people to bring the BJP-PLC-SAD (Sanyukt) alliance to power, assuring them that the state will see speedy development under the new regime.

The 117-member Punjab Assembly is scheduled to go to the polls on February 20 and the counting of votes will take place on March 10.

(With Inputs From Agencies)