Hiranagar, Jammu: Narendra Modi today targeted Defence Minister A K Antony and Arvind Kejriwal, calling them “agents of Pakistan and enemy of India” and speaking its language.
“Three AKs have emerged as a unique strength for Pakistan. One is AK-47 which has been used to cause bloodshed in Kashmir. The second is A K Antony, who informs Parliament that people wearing the dress of
Pak army beheaded our soldiers while our Army says Pakistanis had come. Who do you want to benefit with your statement…,” he asked.
Addressing a BJP meeting, he took a dig at Kejriwal, who resigned after 49 days as Chief Minister in Delhi, as the “Third AK which is AK-49 who has just given birth to a new party”. AK49 — a clear reference to the 49 days Kejriwal spent as Delhi chief minister.
“The map on his party’s website has shown Kashmir in Pakistan. A senior member of his party is shouting himself hoarse demanding plebiscite in Kashmir. Pakistan is dancing over their statements. These agents of Pakistan, enemy of India, you are speaking the language of Pakistan,” he said.
He was referring to AAP leader Prashant Bhushan’s comments some months ago that a referendum should be held to decide the fate of Kashmir.
Invoking Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Modi accused them of speaking the language of Pakistan while Mookerjee had sacrificed his life for Jammu and Kashmir. More Indian soldiers have sacrificed their lives here than in any war, he said.
He attacked Antony over his statement made in Parliament last year when Pakistani Armymen had intruded into Mendhar sector in Jammu and Kashmir and killed two Indian soldiers, beheading one of them.
Against the backdrop of parties in Kashmir praising the previous NDA government’s initiatives in the Valley, Narendra Modi promised to carry forward the policies of Atal Bihari Vajpayee to change the “fate” of Kashmir.
“The path shown by Vajpayee — humanity, democracy and Kashmiriyat — we will carry forward,” Modi said, addressing the ‘Bharat Vijay Rally’ at Hiranagar.
He said if the Vajpayee government had got another five years, it would have changed the face of Kashmir and problems would have ended.
His comments assume significance as mainstream political parties of the state including ruling National Conference and opposition PDP as well as moderate separatist — Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq — have, of late, been praising the Vajpayee government for its initiatives relating to Kashmir.
Modi, who paid obeisance at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine ahead of his address, neither made any reference to Article 370 this time nor replied to the challenge thrown by state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for discussing it.
This was the second rally addressed by Modi in Jammu region. He had addressed a rally on December one last year during which he had stirred a controversy by demanding a dialogue on Article 370 which guarantees a special status to the state.
However, after he was challenged by state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for a discussion on Article 370, both BJP as well as Modi never raked up the issue again.
During today’s rally, retired IPS officer Farooq Khan, who has been in the forefront of anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir, joined the BJP.
Modi also kept the pressure of on Congress’ face for these elections Rahul Gandhi. “Shehzaada says Congress ek sock hai. Congress sock mien padh gayi hai ki yeh chaiwala kahaan se aa gaya,” Modi said.
Hiranagar had been hit by a terror attack on September 26 last year in which a top army officer was among 11 army personnel, cops and civilans killed besides three militants.
Hiranagar is a part of the Udhampur parliamentary seat. BJP candidate Jitender Singh will be taking on Congress heavyweight and Union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is contesting general elections for the first time.
