Cong manifesto favours anti-nationals, separatists: Sushma

Nagpur: Union minister for external affairs Sushma Swaraj slammed the Congress manifesto saying it favoured ‘anti-nationals’ and ‘separatists’. Swaraj, who was in city for a few hours to campaign for her cabinet colleague Nitin Gadkari, said the Congress manifesto plans to undo all steps taken to strengthen the country’s security.
Speaking at an event in city organized by BJP’s women’s wing, she said “I saw highlights of the manifesto on TV and immediately thought that this will make anti-nationals and separatists very happy. PM Narendra Modi took the unprecedented step of removing security cover of separatists and that has put them under pressure. But the Congress president wants to go and talk with separatists. They also plan to do away with laws under which we can prosecute anti-nationals.”

Swaraj’s speech was centred around Modi and his policies which, she said, has led to a stronger India. “Across the world, the stature of India has grown because of Modiji. Pakistan has been isolated and we have proven our capability to strike at the enemy with Uri and Balakot. This country knows that under Modiji we will be able to keep India safe and strong, hence I urge all of you to bring him back as the PM,” said Swaraj.

While Swaraj’s address to both the BJP women's wing and later in the evening to a traders’ community, was liberally peppered with praises of Modi specifically, she did not hide the bonhomie she shares with Gadkari. “I think Nagpur is very lucky to have a MP like Gadkari. He has transformed the transportation scene across the country. I have given my blessings to my brother Gadkari for the elections and now I want Nagpurians to bless him with votes. We need people like him for the progress of our country,” said Swaraj, who remained seated throughout her speech because of health issues.

But, at both events he attended with Swaraj, Gadkari kept his speeches focused completely on the work done by his ministry and even advised his party workers not to engage in a war of words with the opposition. Without mentioning any controversy, Gadkari said, “Do not get drawn into arguments with opposition about unrelated things as that is their plan. Opposition wants to divert your energy and shift focus in order to hide their failures. Those who have not done anything will resort to gimmicks and make unwarranted statements. We must only talk about the work we have because there is a so much to show.”