Clear Your Stand On Abrogation Of Article 370: Amit Shah To Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar

Addressing a rally in south Maharashtra city Solapur, Shah asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and NCP President Sharad Pawar to clear their stand on abrogation of Article 370 and 35(A).

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday lashed out at the Congress and the NCP in Maharashtra over their stand on the government’s move abrogating Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Shah said, "He talks about violence in Kashmir, but I can assure you about not firing a single bullet or a tear gas shell. Whatever Rahulbaba says is being used by Pakistan to make a case before the United Nations. I wonder for which country he is speaking like that". He also attacked Rahul for "seeking evidence" about the surgical strike and the Balakot airstrike by the Indian Air Force in Pakistani territory. "Now, the prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, himself has admitted that the surgical strike and airstrike had taken place. If he (Rahul Gandhi) cannot support his own country, at least he can keep his mouth shut," said the BJP president. Addressing a rally in south Maharashtra city Solapur, home turf of Congress heavyweight Sushilkumar Shinde, Shah asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and NCP President  Sharad Pawar to clear their stand on abrogation of Article 370 and 35(A). He said that Article 370 was an obstacle that every patriot of the country wanted removed. Jammu and Kashmir is now an indispensable part of India. With its unification, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opened the doors for development in the valley. He also hit out at Rahul Gandhi for his previous statement on Kashmir which was used by Pakistan in its petition to the UN on Kashmir. Shah said: “Pakistan and Rahul Gandhi are speaking the same language. I want to ask him what is the reason behind reiterating Pakistan’s stand?” Shah was in the south Maharashtra city to attend the conclusion of the second leg of the 'Mahajanadesh Yatra' launched on August 1 by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Takinga dig at the influx of leaders from the two parties in BJP, Shah said, "If the BJP opens its door completely, except Sharad Pawar and Prithviraj Chavan, no one will remain in their respective parties," Shah said while addressing the rally. Pawar is the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) while Chavan is a former chief minister of the Congress. Both the parties, especially the NCP, have witnessed a number of desertions to the ruling Shiv Sena and BJP.