Chanderkot (Ramban): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday launched a veiled attack on BJP in poll-bound Jammu and Kashmir, saying some forces do not have any programmes and policies and can shake hand with "anyone for power".
Gandhi was apparently hinting at BJP for holding parleys with Kashmiri separatists. Seeking votes from the people to "safeguard secularism" while addressing a poll rally here, Sonia said," People should be cautious about the forces, which don't have any policies and programmes and can join hands with any one for vote-bank and power."
The Congress President alleged that BJP is "dividing the country" with its divisive politics. "Congress is a cadre-based party, but BJP is selling everybody's properties in their names. "They are dividing us on caste and creed, regional and religious lines. Who can understand this better than you. Those who do not have any programmes and olicies, they can go to any extent to shake hands with anybody," she said. "Therefore, you have to be cautious about these people engaged in divisive politics and it is the need of the time," Gandhi said.
"Congress is a party which takes everybody, including people of all religions, caste and creed on the path of development and fights for their rights," she said. The Congress leader said that to fight communal forces her party had entered into alliance with the NC in the state. "To defeat these communal forces, we formed a coalition government here. Some times there are clashes of ideas but after all we ensured development and fulfilment of our agenda," she said.
"Vote for the Congress for integration and secularism of the country," she added. On November 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met former J&K separatist Sajjad Lone.
She also accused the BJP of playing politics over providing relief to flood victims of the state, Gandhi said the ruling party at the Centre promised the sky but did not follow it up with action. She said polls are taking place at a time when people of Kashmir are yet to come to terms with the devastation caused by floods.
"Elections are taking place at a time when you have faced a natural disaster (floods). It does not feel good to talk politics (but) the relief and rehabilitation work is going on a very slow pace," the Congress president said. Gandhi said the UPA government went all out to provide succour to the victims of the 2005 earthquake that affected vast areas along the Line of Control, particularly Uri sector of Baramulla district.
"What has happened now when there is a BJP government (at the Centre)? It seems they are not interested. BJP leaders came and promised the sky but did not give anything. Even what the state (government) asked was not given," she said.
