NEW DELHI: As elections in Jammu and Kashmir are in full swing with impressive voter turnout recorded in the first phase, Pakistan 's defence minister Khwaja Asif has whipped up a storm by saying that the Congress party , National Conference party, and Pakistan are all on the same page when it comes to restoring Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir.
In the video shared by BJP's Amit Malviya, the Pakistan defence minister is seen telling a Geo News host that there was a "high chance" that the Congress-National Conference alliance would win the Assembly polls and come to power in the Union Territory.
."They (the alliance) have made it an election issue. Pakistan and the National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu and Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A," he said.
Soon after the Pakistan minister's interview surfaced, the BJP, which has long attacked the Congress for sympathisng with Pakistan, reacted in a similar fashion.
BJP's Amit Malviya immediately launched a scathing attack on the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, drawing a reference from Sikh separatists' endorsements of Rahul's comments in the US.
"How is it that, from Pannun to Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi and his Congress are always seen on the side of those inimical to India’s interest?" he asked.
Recently, Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun endorsed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the "existential threat" to the Sikh community in India.
Former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekar also took to X with the video, accusing Rahul Gandhi and Congress of always cozying up to Pakistan.
"Under Rahul Gandhi the Congress position on every issue is always the same as Pakistans position. Take any position from J&K to Bangladesh - they have same position. What power does Pakistan exercise over Rahul? What is reason for this control? Does Pakistan have leverage on Cong ?," the BJP leader asked.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also pounced upon the Congress, saying "the cat is out of the bag". "Was there ever any doubt? For the sake of opposing PM Modi, they can even stand with Pakistan," he said.
"Congress NC ka Haath Pakistan ke Saath," he added.
However, even before the interview of the Pakistan minister surfaced, the BJP had gone all guns blazing against Congress over the issue of Article 370. Senior leaders in the BJP, who have frequently paid visits to drum up support, have reiterated multiple times that there is no place for Article 370 in the Indian constitution.
"This Article has become an old chapter of India’s history," Union minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday during a campaign trail.
“I want to ask the NC-Congress how they can bring back Article 370. Let me clarify that neither terrorism nor Article 370 will return,” he added.
Recently, this week, Prime minister Narendra Modi will hit the campaign trail by holding a rally in Doda, marking the first visit to the region by an Indian Prime minister in 42 years. The Prime minister, in his rallies, accused the NC-Congress alliance of wanting to restore Article 370, which, he said, will never happen under the current government.
Today's development also coincides with PM Modi's scheduled campaign rally in Srinagar and Katra, a day after the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly election saw a 59 percent voter turnout.
“I look forward to being among the people of Jammu and Kashmir today. I will address a rally in Srinagar and Katra. Yesterday’s turnout has shown that the people of J&K are very enthusiastic about the elections and are keen to make the poll process vibrant. I will speak about our development agenda and seek people’s blessings,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Meanwhile, while the National Conference has vowed to restore Article 370, the Congress has been completely silent on the issue and has not mentioned it in its manifesto. However, Congress has promised its commitment to restoring full statehood status to Jammu and Kashmir.
In the video shared by BJP's Amit Malviya, the Pakistan defence minister is seen telling a Geo News host that there was a "high chance" that the Congress-National Conference alliance would win the Assembly polls and come to power in the Union Territory.
."They (the alliance) have made it an election issue. Pakistan and the National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu and Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A," he said.
This shd be known and understood by every Indian.
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) September 19, 2024
Under Rahul Gandhi the Cong position on every issue is always the same as Pakistans position. Take any position from J&K to Bangladesh - they hv same position.
What powrr does Pakistan exercise over Rahul? What is reason for… https://t.co/FxbFI11Q6s
Soon after the Pakistan minister's interview surfaced, the BJP, which has long attacked the Congress for sympathisng with Pakistan, reacted in a similar fashion.
BJP's Amit Malviya immediately launched a scathing attack on the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, drawing a reference from Sikh separatists' endorsements of Rahul's comments in the US.
"How is it that, from Pannun to Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi and his Congress are always seen on the side of those inimical to India’s interest?" he asked.
Pakistan, a terrorist state, endorses Congress and National Conference’s position on Kashmir.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 19, 2024
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, on Hamid Mir’s Capital Talk on Geo News says, “Pakistan and National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu & Kashmir to… pic.twitter.com/In8SOJKHBZ
Recently, Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun endorsed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the "existential threat" to the Sikh community in India.
Former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekar also took to X with the video, accusing Rahul Gandhi and Congress of always cozying up to Pakistan.
"Under Rahul Gandhi the Congress position on every issue is always the same as Pakistans position. Take any position from J&K to Bangladesh - they have same position. What power does Pakistan exercise over Rahul? What is reason for this control? Does Pakistan have leverage on Cong ?," the BJP leader asked.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also pounced upon the Congress, saying "the cat is out of the bag". "Was there ever any doubt? For the sake of opposing PM Modi, they can even stand with Pakistan," he said.
"Congress NC ka Haath Pakistan ke Saath," he added.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Hamid Mir’s Capital Talk on Geo News says, “Pakistan and National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu & Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A”
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) September 19, 2024
Was there ever any doubt?
Today the cat is out of the bag
For Modi… pic.twitter.com/0AZ8jzd89S
However, even before the interview of the Pakistan minister surfaced, the BJP had gone all guns blazing against Congress over the issue of Article 370. Senior leaders in the BJP, who have frequently paid visits to drum up support, have reiterated multiple times that there is no place for Article 370 in the Indian constitution.
"This Article has become an old chapter of India’s history," Union minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday during a campaign trail.
“I want to ask the NC-Congress how they can bring back Article 370. Let me clarify that neither terrorism nor Article 370 will return,” he added.
Recently, this week, Prime minister Narendra Modi will hit the campaign trail by holding a rally in Doda, marking the first visit to the region by an Indian Prime minister in 42 years. The Prime minister, in his rallies, accused the NC-Congress alliance of wanting to restore Article 370, which, he said, will never happen under the current government.
Today's development also coincides with PM Modi's scheduled campaign rally in Srinagar and Katra, a day after the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly election saw a 59 percent voter turnout.
“I look forward to being among the people of Jammu and Kashmir today. I will address a rally in Srinagar and Katra. Yesterday’s turnout has shown that the people of J&K are very enthusiastic about the elections and are keen to make the poll process vibrant. I will speak about our development agenda and seek people’s blessings,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Meanwhile, while the National Conference has vowed to restore Article 370, the Congress has been completely silent on the issue and has not mentioned it in its manifesto. However, Congress has promised its commitment to restoring full statehood status to Jammu and Kashmir.
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