Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Narendra Modi over terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir
Ramgarh/New Delhi: A day after the multiple terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying terror activities had started in the state soon after the BJP came to power at the Centre.
"We had our government for 10 years. Tourists used to come to J-K. There was peace. As soon as his (Modi's) government came to power (at the Centre), terrorist activities started," he said at an election rally in Jharkhand's Ramgarh.
"Wherever he (Modi) goes during the elections, whether it is Maharashtra, Delhi or UP, before the polls, there will surely be incidents of violence. He will ensure that one religion is pitted against another religion and then the election follows," he said.
Earlier in Delhi, the Congress Vice President came out with a statement condoling the death of 11 security personnel and two civilians in the terror attacks, saying these "destabilising attempts need to be crushed with resolve".
"I salute the martyrs of the armed and police forces and convey my deepest condolences to the families of the civilians killed in the deplorable and deliberate terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
He further said that these destabilising attempts, being escalated from across the border in Pakistan, need to be crushed with resolve.
"And the Congress Party stands firm with the people of the state and government agencies in their efforts to counter terror and terrorists," Mr Gandhi said.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's poll rally on Monday in Srinagar, the Valley was on Friday rocked by terror attacks by militants from across the border who stormed an Army camp in Uri leaving 11 security personnel including a Lieutenant Colonel dead and killed two civilians in Tral.
The attacks and gun battles with security forces which in all left 21 people dead also included a top commander of Pakistan-based terror outfit LeT and seven militants. Srinagar and Shopian were the other two places where the militants struck.
At Ramgarh, Mr Gandhi asked what happened to PM Modi's claims in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls that he will show China and Pakistan (India's strength) when he becomes PM.
Accusing PM Modi of making "false promises" of bringing back black money within 100 days of coming to power, he said the country is asking when the poor will get Rs.15 lakh as declared by the BJP leader.
Dubbing the BJP as a "one man party", Mr Gandhi said "each and every decision" is taken by PM Modi.
The Prime Minister wants to bring agriculture technology from Australia "but the fact is that the Indian farmer needs no foreign technology as they know everything about cultivation and only need support from the government".
The Congress vice president promised 24-hour power supply to farmers in the state and that all villages would be connected with roads.
The third phase of Assembly polls in Jharkhand will be held on December 9 for 17 seats. In the first two phases, polls have been held for 33 seats in the 81-member Assembly.
The last two phases will be held on December 14 and 20. Counting of votes will be on December 23. The state has been under coalition governments for the past 14 years. It has seen nine governments and three spells of President's rule during this period.
