Rahul must clarify Azad’s remarks on Army chief: Dr Jitendra

Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Feb 19: Turning tough on Congress over the statement made by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, who questioned the Army chief’s remarks against the stone pelters, Union Minister of State in PMO with independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh today asked national vice president of Congress, Rahul Gandhi to clarify party’s stand on the issue.
The Union Minister also did not spare Congress and National Conference (NC) and demanded a probe against the two parties for settlement of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in Jammu.
Addressing the ninth Tribal youth programme organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra at Police Auditorium here today, Dr Jitendra Singh said that being politically bankrupt and seeing its defeat is imminent in five States going for Assembly elections, the Congress leaders are making irrelevant statements.
Dr Jitendra Singh took a dig on those who are opposing the Army chief for his statement and asked AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi to clear his stand on Azad’s remarks.
He also took both Congress and National Conference to task and demanded a thorough probe into their role as Rohingyas and Bangladeshis settled in Jammu region during their rule.
It was the Congress which was in power from 2002 to 2008 in the State and from 2008 to 2014 again it ruled in alliance with National Conference (NC), the period during which Rohingyas and Bangladeshis settled over here, he said, adding the BJP from day one had opposed their settlement in State.
Asserting that BJP is committed to its ideology and principles dear to it, the Union Minister said his party has joined in coalition for the equal development of all three regions of the State and welfare of its people irrespective of their caste, creed, colour and religion but the Party has not compromised on its ideology dear to it.
Those raising a finger on BJP saying that whose probe the Party was demanding, Dr Jitendra Sing said the role of Congress, NC and its allies needed to be probed who were in power when the foreigners settled in Jammu region.
Without naming Panthers Party, he said another small party which had three legislators in the Assembly in past and was also in Government during 2002 has also criticized the BJP and remained mum over the issue when they were themselves in power. “If these leaders were so concerned then why didn’t they resign at that time and why they are making a question mark on us now”?, he asked.
The Union Minister said that BJP took up this issue at that time when party had no expectation of coming to power in the State or at Centre and “we still stick to our stand in this regard when in Government and there are no two thoughts about it”.
These parties brought them here for increasing their political advantage in elections and when their desire was not fulfilled in 2014 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections they raised the issue of foreigners, he said. The Narendra Modi Government is in power for two and half years at Centre while Congress ruled the country for last 65 years so they can’t blame BJP for their sins, he added.
Making a scathing attack on Congress party, Dr Jitendra Singh said “we won’t make you forget their sins and we know that they (Congress) have no courage to regret the same”.
Turning tables on both opposition parties, he said Congress and NC are day dreaming that BJP will leave the chair for them this way. BJP leadership had given sacrifices for the principles, he said while referring to Shamaprasad Mookerjee.
Reiterating that Narendra Modi Government is committed to zero tolerance on terrorism and perpetrators of terrorism, he said this has also been stated by Army chief General Bipin Rawat. The Union Minister also made it clear that there will be no compromise on unity and integrity of the country and Army, he added.
Later talking to reporters, Dr Jitendra Singh criticised some mainstream politicians who are changing the statements after losing the power. Not sparing the separatists for launching a tirade against nation, the Union Minister said that he has been repeatedly saying that they are not separatists by conviction but by convince as some of them being ex-legislators are drawing pension from Government coffers. Besides, they too enjoy all facilities from Government, he added.
He said when in power they take oath in the name of Indian Constitution and when out of power, raise voice against the nation.
He said in the politics of competition some main stream political parties try to win over some constituencies but people know this better and now these parties can no more take the people for a ride.
He said this practice should stop now as there should be no premium on terrorism.
The Union Minister said those politicians who used to change their statements by giving one statement in Srinagar, another in Jammu and third in Delhi should be exposed now not on one level but many levels as this is the real time reporting now.
Regarding UP elections, he said BJP is ahead of all parties as people wanted a change to get rid of corruption, crime and mis-governance.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that voter has now understood and can’t be befooled. Likewise in Manipur the BJP will also win the elections, he added.
Earlier addressing the programme MP Rajya Sabha Shamsher Singh Manhas said unity in diversity is the greatest quality of India as people living in different regions speaking different language are one when the question of national unity and integrity comes.
MP Lok Sabha Jugal Kishore Sharma while speaking said that Union Government wants equal development of all regions of the country especially the far-flung areas and weaker sections of the society and in this regard many projects were launched by Narendra Modi Government.
MLA Rajesh Gupta also spoke on the occasion and said greatest quality of Indian culture is that it is uniting people of different regions and religions.
As many as 220 Tribal youth from States of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha and Jharkhand participated in the programme. They are on seven day long programme from today to February 25.
As a part of the programme various activities will be organized including interaction with dignitaries from various fields of education, sports and culture.
A colorful cultural programme was also presented by these youth and made the people spell bound.
Those present included Secretary Youth Services and Sports Hilal Ahmed Parrary, Director Nehru Yuva Kendra, Sukhdev Singh, Deputy Director NYKS and National Youth Volunteers of NYKS and BJYM national Executive Member Bharat Sharma.

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