Jitendra Singh slams 'politically bankrupt' Congress

JAMMU: Union Minister Jitendra Singh today attacked the Congress for being "politically bankrupt" and speaking the language of Kashmiri separatists.

"On Congress reaction to Gen Rawat's statement, we have already cleared our stand. Some newspapers have carried it. In one word, it can be summed up as 'political bankruptcy" (of Congress)," Singh said demanding a clarification from Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on whether the party endorsed remarks of senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad criticising army chief Bipin Rawat's statement on tough action against locals hampering counter-militancy operations in Kashmir.

Fully defending Gen Rawat, Singh said "What army chief has said, Congress people are twisting it as if he has said that army should go after youths and beat them up. His statement should not be read as a challenge or warning but as a concern and worry expressed by him".

"Indian army is only army which has such a concern and worries. Army chief is worried that nobody should get hurt during counter insurgency operations," he said.

On India's acceptance on global level for its viewpoint on terrorism, Singh said "except for a handful of people, rest of 125 crore people understand that entire world is slowly accepting the viewpoint of PM Narendra Modi over global terrorism. That is why Pakistan is under pressure and will continue to remain under pressure".

"Modi government has zero tolerance and also zero tolerance to those helping terrorism. During past two and half period under PM Modi, whole world is coming to point of view of India, which was lacking earlier. It is because of the diplomatic consistency of India and policy of conviction and clarity of India followed by Modi government," he said.

On Kashmiri separatists, Singh said "as far as separatists are concerned we have always being saying that they have the cake and eat it too. The separatism being followed in Kashmir valley, it is not separatism by conviction but convenience".

"So called separatist leaders have been following mainstream legislators and they are still mentioned as former legislators and are drawing privileges and perks under the Constitution of India but publicly they subscribe that they do not follow the Constitution of India," he said.

"But more worrisome is that so called mainstream political parties have also resorted to separatist jargon once they are out of power. Once they are in power, they said J&K is integral part of India," Singh said.

He expressed confidence that BJP will win elections in five states as it is the only alternative in these states.

On UP elections, he said "BJP will emerge as victorious because the people of UP want liberation from corruption to crime. They see BJP as an alternative. BJP can provide an alternative. In Manipur also, we have hope of victory there also. BJP is an alternative in Manipur as well".
Stay on top of business news with The Economic Times App. Download it Now!
FROM AROUND THE WEB

Tax-free gain with lowest lock-in (3 years)

Reliance Mutual Fund

Affordable ride anytime, anywhere: Uber

UBER

A life insurance that protects you till you're 80

Aegon Life Insurance

MORE FROM ECONOMIC TIMES

Customer is your wife, says Aditya Puri

Tamil Nadu lawmaker S.S.Saravanan escapes from beach resort

Pak Senate passes landmark Hindu marriage bill

From Around the WebMore from The Economic Times

Breaking: Mumbai Man Drops 25kgs In 10 Days With 1 "Trick"

SlimNow

New Renault KWID – LIVE FOR MORE EDITION

Renault

Maintain a CIBIL Score of 750+

CIBIL

Get protection and savings in one plan

SBI LIFE INSURANCE

Salary packages stay flat at IIMK’s final placement

Scooter's back, with new hero on road

Aditya Puri says national bad bank is not a bad idea

Infrastructure