Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Sonepat/Pathankot
BJP national president Amit Shah today kicked off his campaign in Haryana and Punjab for the Lok Sabha elections, saying national security will remain the party’s “supreme priority” as he targeted the Opposition, including the Congress, for demanding proof of the Balakot airstrikes.
Shah asked people to re-elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only for his “innumerable achievements” over the past five years, but also for “making the nation secure and strong against external aggression”.
Addressing a rally in Sonepat, Shah claimed the Khattar government had spent Rs 1,17,028 crore over the past five years, which was five times the money spent during the previous Congress government.
Shah said Haryana was earlier known as the female foeticide capital of the country. “Not only has the sex ratio improved under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme, but the state has shone in other areas too, including sports and education,” he added. Chiding Congress president Rahul Gandhi for accusing the BJP government of neglecting the poor to benefit the rich, Shah asked people to compare the five-year rule of the Modi government with the 55-year rule of the Congress.
“If a comparison is made between their 55 years of rule against our five years, scales will tilt in our favour,” he asserted. In Panipat, which falls under the Karnal seat, Shah slammed the Congress for seeking proof of the Balakot airstrikes. “The pain of Pakistan was understandable, but why was the Congress smarting? Rahul Baba and company demanded proof of the airstrikes,” he said.
Accusing the Congress of playing politics over Kashmir, the BJP chief said his party wanted Article 370 (giving autonomous status to J&K) revoked, but the Congress played with national security by opposing it. If voted to power, the Modi government would revoke the Article, he said.
Taking a dig at the Hooda and Chautala clans, he said for years power was concentrated between these two families, but the BJP in 2014 stopped the ‘3D’ culture — ‘damaad, darbari and dealer’ — in the state. He exuded confidence that the BJP would win all 10 seats in Haryana, which will vote in the sixth phase on May 12.
Canvassing for party’s Gurdaspur candidate Sunny Deol in Pathankot, Shah raked up the emotive issue of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying the culprits would not be spared. “We have already put one of the perpetuators of the mass genocide behind bars, while others will follow soon. It is unfortunate that Sajjan Kumar, who has since been jailed, was made MP thrice by successive Congress-ruled governments,” he said.
Deol used his “Dhai kilo ka haath” dialogue to assert he was a patriot and would serve the constituency with zeal and enthusiasm if elected. Punjab goes to the polls in the final phase on May 19.
Accountable to people, not Cong: BJP Chief
We have been in power for five years. For 55 years, you (Congress) ruled this country. People are seeking your account. We don’t need to answer you, we are accountable to people. Amit Shah, BJP Chief
