Congress Seat Demands in UP, Jamia Slogans Draw BJP Fire
New Delhi, October 24: The BJP on Friday came down heavily on the opposition over a range of political issues, including law and order in Punjab, Farooq Abdullah's comments on Pakistan, alleged controversial slogans at Jamia Millia Islamia, Congress's alliance demands in Uttar Pradesh and a proposed rally by Rahul Gandhi. BJP spokesperson RP Singh said these issues reflected the opposition's double standards and political priorities.
On Punjab, Singh said the state's law and order had broken down as gangsters and drug peddlers were becoming more powerful. He alleged that these elements were being protected by Aam Aadmi Party MLAs and ministers. He stressed that the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home Department, was directly accountable for the situation and had failed completely. Singh added that the Chief Minister had no time to focus on the state's problems because he was busy celebrating his birthday in France.
Singh also responded to Farooq Abdullah's statements on Pakistan, asking him to focus on the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He cited the removal of Article 370 and the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India as reasons for improved conditions. He said the region now received around two crore tourists every year and was witnessing economic growth, which he described as direct results of the change.
The spokesperson raised questions about the alleged slogans at Jamia Millia Islamia and about Congress leader Imran Masood's visit to the campus. He demanded that Masood clarify his position on Kashmir and say whether he stood with those who wanted to separate it from India. Singh accused Congress of backing people who speak of dividing the country. He also referred to the alleged intention of cutting off the northeast through the Chicken's Neck corridor.
On the Samajwadi Party alliance talks for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, Singh took a dig at Congress's reported demand for 175 to 200 seats. He pointed to previous by-elections, when the party had reportedly asked for 10 seats, then five, and finally two. He claimed Congress could find itself in a similar position this time and would have to contest only the seats it was allotted in the alliance.
Singh objected to the scheduling of Rahul Gandhi's Ramlila Maidan rally on November 1. He pointed out that in 1984, during the same days, anti-Sikh violence had killed large numbers of Sikhs in Delhi. He attacked Congress for ignoring the feelings of the victims, citing Sam Pitroda's alleged remark 'Hua to hua' on the 1984 violence. Singh said the Sikh community would never forget the violence that occurred from the evening of October 31 through November 4. Holding a rally on November 1, he argued, could reopen the wounds of victims and hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community, and said Congress had chosen the date knowingly.